Save for the cost of one canned food item per person, admission is free. The event is usually sponsored by donations from local businesses, but with a tough economy, organizational support has lessened and the event has scaled back.

"We are at the point now where we're going to have to start charging admission in addition to canned food," said Commissioner Wayne Hooper, head of the town's special events committee. He said that won't happen until next year, but there will be donation boxes in place around the park this Saturday.

"As people see fit, they can donate to help offset the costs," Hooper said. Next year, there will be a $2 admission fee; $1 will go toward the event, $1 will be donated to the Thurmont Food Bank.

Hooper said organizers have changed the haunted hay ride, one of the event's biggest attractions.

"People love that," Hooper said. "We get comments from people saying it's 10 times better than ones they've paid for."

He said the ride has changed so much, it's basically new.

The Community Park gates will open at 6 p.m. Saturday. "People start to get there around 3:30 p.m.," Hooper said. "They want to be the first in line."

The event will continue into the night, until the last hay ride makes its way through the park, he said.

Halloween in the Park began about seven years ago, under the direction of Commissioner Ron Terpko. Mostly pumpkin carving and storytelling, the event expanded and evolved into what residents visit today.

Hooper said the first year he was in charge, the event gathered about 200 people. Last year they counted almost 2,500.

"We wanted to focus on providing fun things for the children," he said. "We give them treats and have a chance to win a prize."

It takes about 60 people to put on the event, including volunteers from the Boy Scouts and 4-H. Local families do their best to frighten haunted hay riders along the route.

Donations from area supermarkets provide refreshments and wagons and other equipment are lent by local farmers.

"It's a community event," Hooper said. "Just plan on having a good time."

The rain date is Oct. 31, coinciding with the town's trick-or-treating from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

	IF YOU GO WHAT: Halloween in the Park WHEN: Saturday (Rain date: Oct. 31) WHERE: Community Park, 10 Frederick Road, Thurmont ON THE WEB Get your dose of all the local coverage you need for Thurmont. Read about news as it happens, share your stories and upload your photos. aroundfrederickcounty.com/thurmont