The university’s Baker Ambassadors will hold its annual haunted hayrack ride at 8 p.m. Wednesday around Baldwin City.
Minister to the University Ira DeSpain said the hayrack ride will last about an hour and consist of riding around Baldwin City in a trailer of hay pulled by a truck while people tell ghost stories about different houses along the route. Afterward, the Baker Ambassadors will serve refreshments in the chapel basement.
DeSpain said the event is free and open to Baker students. A local Baldwin City resident provides the trailer, which was upgraded last year due to the growth in popularity.
“We call the police ahead of time and let them know there will be such a thing going on,” DeSpain said.
Baker Ambassador Jessica Miner said those interested should meet in front of the Harter Union. She said the ride usually includes stories about Parmenter Hall, the Kappa Sigma fraternity house, a couple of houses outside of Baldwin City and the cemetery.
“The ambassadors tell the stories, whichever students know them,” Miner said. “I think Ira will tell one too.”
Baker Ambassador Alexis Pryor said the route might include a trip to the train tracks and thinks the ride is neat because they get a dose of history since some of the stories come from faculty members, and the whole ride is about Baldwin City.
“It’s just kind of a fun way to get the whole campus involved and kind of a fun way to celebrate Halloween,” Pryor said.
Miner said the Baker Ambassadors hold the event to give students something to do as a fun fall activity.
“My favorite part is just being out on the trailer in the hay,” Miner said. “It’s just a cool fall experience. The ride is definitely the best part.”