Children with autism and other developmental disabilities had an opportunity to enjoy a Halloween tradition designed with their needs in mind during the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company’s sensory-friendly hayride.
Approximately 200 children, adults and family members attended the special event Saturday, Oct. 10, at Flemings Junkyard in Egg Harbor Township, home of the fire company’s annual Terror in the Junkyard attraction.
Terror in the Junkyard is a longtime Halloween fundraiser featuring a haunted hayride and the Maze of Terror. During its regular operating hours, the attraction uses costumed characters, darkened trails, startling sounds and unexpected scares to create a frightening experience for visitors.
The sensory-friendly hayride offered a different experience.
Volunteers reduced the intensity by eliminating loud noises, flashing lights, sudden scares and lengthy waits. Children and their families could enjoy the decorated trail and Halloween atmosphere in a calmer, more predictable setting.
For families of children with sensory sensitivities, those adjustments can make the difference between attending an event and having to stay home. Crowds, flashing lights and unexpected sounds can be overwhelming for some people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Vernon Cruse said the hayride is especially meaningful to him because his family has been personally touched by autism.
“This is my favorite night of the year,” Cruse said. “The families are incredibly appreciative, and the event is especially meaningful to me because my son, Colton, is on the autism spectrum. It has become a favorite night for many of us.”
The tradition began in 2012, when one local family approached then-Fire Chief Michael Fiedor about their son, who had autism. Their boy wanted to experience the hayride, but the noise, flashing lights and sudden scares of the traditional attraction would have been too overwhelming.
Fiedor immediately expressed a willingness to help in any way possible. Other families in the community facing similar challenges were invited to join them. What began with one family’s request quickly became a beloved community event.
The event has continued to grow, giving children with disabilities an opportunity to participate in the same seasonal traditions enjoyed by their siblings and peers.
Egg Harbor Township Clean Communities was also on hand, distributing small gifts to each participant on the hayride. Shore Medical Center representatives provided families with information about the hospital’s sensory-friendly emergency room, laboratory and imaging services.
“As a mom, seeing my kids experience the joy of a hayride in a place where they felt comfortable, safe and included meant more than words can express,” Kendall Rogers of Egg Harbor Township said. “For some families, it’s just a hayride. For ours, it was a chance to make beautiful memories without the worry of being overwhelmed. Seeing their smiles meant everything to me. We all appreciated everything they did for us.”
The sensory-friendly hayride reflects what inclusion can look like in practice. The heart of the attraction remained intact, but thoughtful changes made it accessible to children who experience Halloween events differently.
Through its continued commitment to the sensory-friendly hayride, the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company has created more than a seasonal event. It has created a welcoming tradition that allows families to celebrate Halloween together.
