Boo on the Trail

Merrill families looking for a Halloween outing can take a spooky stroll along the River Bend Trail this month when the Friends of the River Bend Trail hosts Boo on the Trail, a free haunted trail walk.
The walk runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Walkers meet at the Agra Pavilion, 401 S. Park St., and follow the trail east to its end near Cooper Street.
The idea for the walk came from Sharon Anderson and Sheila Frederick, along with the rest of the Friends of the River Bend Trail, after the Haunted Sawmill announced it would close permanently, said Greg Hartwig, President of the Friends of the River Bend Trail.
“The Friends of the River Bend Trail thought, with the Haunted Sawmill being closed, that now was the time for a haunted trail walk,” Hartwig said.
Merrill High School DECA students will play the walk’s characters. The Friends of the River Bend Trail has bought nearly 100 pounds of candy to hand out along the way.

“We encourage people to dress up in their costumes for everyone to see,” Hartwig said.
Participants can also bring a carved pumpkin to the Agra Pavilion any time before 7 p.m., when the top three pumpkins will be judged and awarded prizes.
The event is free, but organizers are collecting canned goods and other nonperishable food items at the Agra Pavilion to donate to the food pantry.