By Stephanie Loder
What does it take to make Terror in the Junkyard in Egg Harbor Township a scary event for everyone each October?
Scullville Volunteer Fire Chief Vernon Cruse knows it takes volunteers, dedication, patience and plenty of practice to put on a good show.
Cruse and his firefighter volunteers are spending part of August and September gearing up for the fire company’s annual Halloween haunted hayride and maze fundraiser at Flemings Junkyard on Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township.
For over 20 years, the event has drawn more than 10,000 people to get a good fright, Cruse said.
The haunted hayride features volunteer actors in white, ghostly makeup and bloodied, frightful costumes who line the path of the tractor-drawn hayride.
The event has been a major fundraiser for the township fire company – and has become one of the area’s most popular Halloween attractions.
“I just love this time of year. It’s really a lot of fun,” said Cruse.
Proceeds from the fundraiser help the fire company purchase turnout gear, helmets, safety goggles, and gloves for volunteers.
Cruse said donations from the event allowed the fire company to buy a forcible entry training prop valued at $7,000. The purchase, he said, was something that the fire company wouldn’t have been able to afford without donations from the haunted hayride.
Fundraising is even more important this year, the chief said.
Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed new standards aimed at improving the safety for emergency responders. If approved, the new standards could make it even more costly for volunteer fire companies to comply.
“OSHA is trying to institute new changes and they will severely affect volunteer companies. Updating equipment is very expensive,” he said.
Cruse said the cost of suiting up a volunteer firefighter with proper equipment can cost as much as $10,000.
Terror in the Junkyard needs about 60 volunteers to put on the show.
Volunteer numbers are dwindling, Cruse said.
The volunteers include 30-35 Scullville firefighters and firefighters from Cardiff and Farmington. Cardiff and Farmington receive a donation from Scullville for volunteering at the event.
The Boy Scouts also came out last year and set up a zombie-themed abandoned Boy Scout camp. They also received a donation for their efforts, Cruse said.
Volunteering is open to anyone age 16 and older.
Registration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 29 and again from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Fire House at 1708 Somers Point Rd.
Registration forms and information can be found at https://scullvillefire.org/hayride/ which is the fire company website. The completed forms can be turned in at the firehouse on Aug. 29 or Sept. 12, and volunteers need a photo ID.
A “Sensory Friendly Hayride” for children easily upset by noise or flashing lights is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Oct. 19.
Cruse said the sensory friendly night has grown in popularity and now attracts 150-200 children. Pre-registration is requested, but not required, he said.
The Egg Harbor Township Clean Communities program provides goodie bags for children on the sensory-friendly ride.
“This is one of my favorite nights because there’s no noise. We take the kids on a hayride and the actors come out and wave at them,” Cruse said.
Key Dates, Times, Costs:
Opening night is Sept. 27, with the hayride and maze continuing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Oct. 27.
During October, the ticket booth is open from 7- 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 7-9 p.m. on Sundays.
Hayride tickets cost $15, Maze tickets are $10 or a combo ticket costs $20. There are no group rates, but the fire company offers a $2 discount for military and first responders.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://scullvillefire.org/ which is the fire company website.
The Scullville Auxiliary will sell hotdogs and sodas at the junkyard event.
The Auxiliary plans a Trunk or Treat from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Flemings Junkyard with registration available on their Facebook page or at scullvillefire.org/auxiliary, which is their website.
