SLIPPERY ROCK - Witches, monsters, ghosts and goblins are turning Slippery Rock Community Park into a frightful sight.

The annual Haunted Hayride is today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the park at 320 N. Main St.

The hay wagons depart from the historical Slippery Rock Cemetery, near the entrance to the park.

"It starts at the cemetery and that's where it ends," said Mary Messer, director of Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation.

Those brave enough to take the trip will travel through a variety of "horrific" displays on their journey through the park.

Roland and Janine DuBois - along with their children, Bob, 15, Erik, 16, and Shannon, 23 - have been creating displays for the hayride for the past eight years.

It started when Shannon was a teenager. She was working at the park and was asked to volunteer to help out with the hayride. It was so much fun, the whole family got involved and has done it each year since then.

"We've done it in the snow, we've done it in the rain," Shannon said.

"We usually do the witch scene from McBeth. Double, double, toil and trouble."

Shannon said this year they are adding a witch scene from Monty Python.

Tuesday, the DuBois' front yard looked as if the Munsters lived there, with ghosts in the trees, monsters sitting in lawn chairs, and tombstones for Elvira, Frankenstein, Mr. Hyde and the Joker. There was also an assemblage of skulls, jack-o-lanterns, candles and a black witch's kettle.

They were setting up the props and getting them ready to take over to the park.

"At night it looks pretty good," Roland DuBois said. "I'm in the process of finishing the costumes. We take this all to the park and do the skit. Usually it's freezing cold."

"It's fun scaring people," said Bob.

"They do an unbelievable job," Messer said.

Messer said the DuBois family does "an unbelievable job."

She doesn't know how many years the hayride has been held, but said her children went to it 17 years ago.

"We sponsor the event, but we have so many community organizations that help," she said, including the "Girl Scouts, the (Slippery Rock) High School organization Kids that Care, university organizations, fraternities, sororities, the Alumni Association and local farmers."

She said the Slippery Rock Water and Sewer Authority lends them a tractor and Slippery Rock Township lets them use a truck to pull the wagons, which are loaned by two residents, Mike Kramer and George Hartzell.

Kramer also donates the hay, Messer said.

"Without the community's help and the university's help, this would be impossible," Messer said.

"It's one of our most popular events. It's just an evening of fun-filled enjoyment and an adventurous evening for families."

Refreshments will be available, including donuts, hot dogs, hot chocolate, coffee and soft drinks. The park's pre-school also will have a bake sale at the event.

Admission is $3 for children 2 and older. Tickets are available at the park until 9 p.m.