Avon Lake Boo By The Woods and Trail of Haunted Tales continues today

Avon Lake's ninth annual Boo By The Woods and Trail of Haunted Tales is today from 4-9 p.m. at the Avon Lake Public Library and Lorain County Metro Parks Kopf Family Reservation, 32649 Electric Blvd. Events in the library parking lot are free and open to the public, including the character meet-and-greets. This event will be held rain or shine. Tickets for the Family Trail, Haunted Trail and "Basement of Terror" at the Avon Lake Public Library require wristbands and were sold out as of Friday, but there will be an inflatable obstacle course, pumpkin decorating, tarot card reading, face-painting, a visit with dinosaurs, and more for children and adults. Seasonal decorations and characters including the "Ghostbusters," Superheroes for Kids of Ohio and creatures of the night from "Back to the Wilds" will be on hand. Food will be available for purchase from participating food trucks including Off the Griddle, Manna Food Truck, Dough Daddy Doughnuts and Kountry Krunchins. Avon Lake Ward 4 Councilman David Kos said 1,800 tickets for the event sold out in only a few hours. "It's the most popular ticketed event we do in the city," he said. "It's a great event and a great Halloween festival. No other community does what we do." The ninth annual event got "bigger and better" this year with the expanded "Basement of Terror" indoor haunted house for middle school-age youth and teens. Inside is "like a commercial haunted house with jump startles and scares," Kos said, while the outdoor haunted trail is more family-friendly and PG-rated. Parking is available in the Avon Lake High School north parking lot, 175 Avon Belden Road, with limited parking also at Erieview Elementary School, 32630 Electric Blvd. There also is limited handicapped parking at the library's west entrance. Avon Lake police will be on hand to help safely cross Electric Boulevard. The event is sponsored by the city, the Avon Lake Recreation Department, the Avon Lake Public Library, Kopf Builders, ASAP Plumbing, MJ Rogers & Co. and Friends of the Park.