Skip to main content

Draper Journal

Costumed characters and a giant pumpkin await kids at Draper Haunted Hollow

Oct 04, 2018 11:55AM ● By Jana Klopsch

A spooky sentry greets guests at the 2017 Draper Haunted Hollow. (Photo courtesy David J. Weinstein)

By Katherine Weinstein | [email protected]

What is orange and round and falls to the ground with a big, satisfying SPLAT? Try a pumpkin dropped from a height of 50 feet. The Pumpkin Drop is one of the most popular attractions at Draper Haunted Hollow. “Kids love it,” said David Wilks, special events coordinator for Draper Parks and Recreation. “It just tickles their funny bones!” 

Draper Haunted Hollow returns, Pumpkin Drop and all, on Monday, Oct. 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Galena Hills Park.  

Draper Haunted Hollow is a free community event that attracts approximately 3,000 people every year. Kids of all ages are encouraged to attend in costume and bring sacks to hold their candy. Draper City Youth Council will run about a dozen “creepy” carnival-style games at the event. Kids can line up and play games like bean bag toss and collect candy as prizes. “There will be lots and lots of candy,” said Wilks.  

Food trucks, such as Cup Bop, will be at the Haunted Hollow selling more substantial fare to munch on as well.  

One new attraction this year will be a giant pumpkin carved by expert pumpkin carver Adam Smith. Smith will start carving a 500-pound pumpkin on a stage in the park in the morning and will display his unique creation at the evening event. Smith is a member of the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers Association and displays his carved pumpkins at events throughout the valley.  

This year, Pirate Captain Jack is coming back to greet kids and welcome them to play on two big wooden pirate ships. Kids can climb aboard and set off smoke cannons or play with foam swords. They go down slides to exit the ships.  

Other costumed characters will be available for meet-and-greets and photo ops at the center of the hay bale maze. Kids can make their way through the maze where they will find skeletons and a graveyard — but nothing too scary for little ones. Another popular attraction for the younger set is the Haunted Train Ride. A small train will be set up to take kids on a short ride in the park.

Volunteers from St. John the Baptist Catholic School will set up a M*A*S*H* tent, after the well-known TV show, in which kids can wrap themselves in bandages like a mummy or zombie.  

Draper City Youth Council will offer face painting as well. “The city could not put on this event without the youth council,” said Wilks. Approximately 50 youth volunteers will work at the Haunted Hollow along with six advisors.  

“Draper City parks department puts a great deal of time and effort into creating the Haunted Hollow,” added Wilks. It takes six staff members about two days to put up all of the decorations, build the hay maze and get ready for the crowds of excited kids. The parks department has been collecting spooky decorations for years now. Each year, visitors can expect something a little bit different.

Draper Haunted Hollow, a free community event put on by the Draper Parks and Recreation Department and Draper City Youth Council will take place on Monday, Oct. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Galena Hills Park. The park is located at 12452 S. Vista Station Blvd. in Draper. Children of all ages are invited and costumes are encouraged.