With scores of youngsters darting about in Iola’s Recreation Community Building Saturday, just as many had a devil of a time enjoying outdoor activities.
An elaborate hay bale maze set up as part of the annual Shocktober festival was a popular draw both for youngsters and those young at heart.
The bales, accentuated at various spots with plastic gates, took several minutes for some to maneuver, while repeat visitors became familiar with the escape route and made it through in less than a minute.
The maze took about four hours to assemble, said Brad Yoder, who works in Iola’s Recreation Department.
The workers used 40 large rectangle bales to set up the maze’s perimeter, and 140 smaller bales for the interior passageways. The large bales were provided by Scott Mueller; the smaller ones by Joel Sprague.
“I think the kids got a kick out of it,” Yoder said.
The mood was just as festive inside, with youngsters enjoying a series of inflatable attractions, including a spook room filled with Allen County Community College drama students and a series of games, such as miniature golf, bean bag tosses and a batting practice area manned by ACCC athletes.
Shocktober maze draws haunted crowd
