Compete against 7 other teams in a thrilling competition to construct the finest and most terrifying structure at the Haunted Trail event at the Kiron South Park on October 17-18. The winner will be determined by attendee popular vote, and the victorious team and structure will be awarded $1000.

Eligibility:

1. The contest is open to individuals aged 18 years or older. Participants under the age of 18 will need a parent or a guardian to sign a waiver. Team leaders will need to be 18 years or order.
2. Members of the Kiron Community Club (KCC) are not eligible to participate.

Event Information:

1. The Haunted Trail event will take place on October 17-18 starting at 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. After 11:00 pm, we do not permit new people to join the queue, but we will allow the existing queue to continue through the event.
2. The Haunted Trail event is located at the south park, Kiron, Iowa. The entire trail is approximately .5 miles, and the contest will be held at the last portion of the trail.

Contest Overview:

1. The contest is restricted to 8 teams who will compete against each other to craft the most favorited and frightening structure on the Haunted Trail.
2. Each structure must possess a distinct theme to facilitate recognition by voters and assist the KCC in maintaining variety among the structures. Example: butcher shop, hospital, saloon, etc.
3. Selected teams will need to man their structure for both days of the Haunted Trail event.
4. Inappropriate props, behavior, and talk will not be tolerated.
5. The KCC holds the right to shut down any structure for any reason during the event. If your structure is shut down, your team does not qualify for the contest prize.

Details:

1. Selected applicants will build a structure in a 15 ft. wide x 32 ft. long reserved space. A concrete sidewalk will run lengthwise through the structure. The rest of the area is grass.
2. Teams may design their structure to any size, big or small, as long as it remains within the confines of the reserved area. We are flexible regarding the 15 ft. width. Also, if you want the sidewalk to run along the side of your structure and not through, that is permitted
3. Each team has the freedom to create their structure as simple (pop-up tents) or as grand (wood frame) as they want.
4. Structures must be safe, handicapped accessible, and we recommend wheelchair friendly.
5. By 6:00 PM on the event days, all structures must be furnished, finished, and vehicles moved from the area.
6. Electricity will not be provided. We will allow generators. We found that scary music and the screams will drown out the noise of the generators, however, we suggest long extension cords to help with noise pollution.
7. To maintain the condition of our sidewalks, we ask that you avoid applying any paint or liquids that could stain the concrete, including fake blood, directly on the sidewalks.
8. The KCC will conduct a random draw to determine the structure locations to which teams will be assigned.
9. Teams can disassemble their structures on the following Sunday. Dumpsters are available by the shelter house and at the old gas station.

Application Process:

1. Application deadline is October 1.
2. Applications must be submitted through an online form found here.
3. Only 8 applications will be selected due to trail length.
4. Applications will be anonymously evaluated and selected by the members of the KCC, except for the individual responsible for accepting and organizing the applications.

Team Guidelines:

1. Teams must consist of 6 people or less.
2. Intentional physical contact with attendees is prohibited for team members. No tapping on shoulders, no grabbing feet.
3. Structures and team members should avoid significantly impeding the pace of the group, causing attendee groups to back up.

Contest Judging:

1. The winning structure will be determined through popular vote from the public after they have experienced all the structures along the trail. The voting process will take place at the trail’s end and will be supervised.
2. The structure with the most votes will receive a check written for $1,000.00.
3. The two highest-ranking structures will receive a direct invitation to participate in next year’s contest, bypassing the need for the application process.
4. Votes will be calculated after the event on Saturday and announced in the shelter house.

Attendee Information:

1. Haunted Trail attendees will go through in groups of approximately 2 to 8 people.
2. Attendees will be equipped with either a green lighted baton or a red lighted baton, which serves two purposes: indicating the scare level and signifying the presence of small children. Additionally, these batons help distinguish group attendees from other trail volunteers.
3. Team members should adjust their scares based on the light carried by attendees. Red = small children, tone it down. Green = Go, scare away.
4. New groups of attendees are expected to pass through approximately every 5 minutes, although this may be subject to the length of the queue at the trail’s starting point. Shorter line = longer time. Longer line = shorter time.

By participating in the Haunted Trail contest, all participants agree to abide by these rules and guidelines. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant who violates these rules or engages in any form of inappropriate behavior.

Questions? Reach out to us on Facebook or email [email protected]