The East Lyme Walk of Horror has haunted people all around Connecticut for years, but most people don’t realize how much work truly goes into making everyone jump out of their skin. Sure, it’s fun to get chased by zombies and run through spooky trails, but the Police Cadets and event organizers put in serious hours to pull it off.
More Than Just Costumes:
The East Lyme Police Cadets, police in training, are a huge part of what makes the Walk of Horror actually happen. They don’t simply just show up day of and get into costume, they’re involved from start to finish.
“This year, all of the money we raise goes to funding the East Lyme Police Cadets,” Chief of the East Lyme Police Cadets and senior Leah Taylor said. “We are there day and night helping setting things up, running different stations, and making sure everything is running smoothly.“
Setting up the trail takes a lot more work than someone might think. The staff and volunteers must figure out timing so groups don’t run into each other, coordinate all the separate “scare zones,” and make sure younger kids don’t get too freaked out.
“People see the final product, but what people don’t see is the challenge of the set- up: testing which props work best or figuring out how to make the fog machine stay in one spot,” event volunteer and junior Naomi Perrone-Gray said.
Early Planning Starts Months in Advanced
The organizers who have been running this event for many years know exactly what they’re doing. They start planning months before October hits. First, they determine the themes and scares to include. Then comes the difficult part: getting all the materials, recruiting volunteers, and coordinating with the community center.
Different parts of the trail require different setups. Some rooms are pitch black with just sound effects, while others have actors jumping out at you. Every detail matters, from the placement of the strobe lights, to making sure the pathway is safe and clear even when pitch black.
The Day Everyone’s Been Waiting For
When the weekend of the event comes around, there’s a town-wide buzz of excitement that makes all the preparation worth it. Families and kids begin lining up early, some scared just by the outside decorations.
“You can feel the energy,” event organizer Hank Anderson explains.
For Taylor, the other cadets, and all of the event organizers, it’s become a tradition that is about giving to the community.
“We’ve been doing this so long that it’s just part of what makes East Lyme feel like home,” event organizer, East Lyme Police Officer, and director of Police Cadets, Sergeant Hallbauer said.
