Sensory-friendly event keeps scares in check

Allen’s Haunted Hayrides offered a scaled-back version of its usual attraction Friday night.

The atmosphere at Allen’s Haunted Hayrides in Smock was a little less scary than usual on Friday as the attraction hosted its third annual sensory-friendly night.

Designed to accommodate individuals who may not enjoy a haunted attraction due to loud sounds, jump scares, flashing lights and large crowds, the event had about a hundred people on its hayrides, haunted tavern and campfires.

Lights were on with no loud bangs, sudden scares or fog, and the event was wheelchair and handicap accessible. Cookies, s’mores and cold beverages were provided with other vendors and games.

Allen’s Haunted Hayride has been a staple in the community for 45 years, offering spooky entertainment and memorable experiences for families.

Some special-needs individuals worked the Tavern of Terror Friday night, according to Mike Carr, who designed the haunted setting. “I know how much I like Halloween. I know a lot of people who like Halloween and don’t have a chance to do something like this,” Carr said. “Luckily, they are able to handle it and it’s the highlight of their year, and there’s other people who are just as enthusiastic as they are that can’t because of the strobes or the big crowds. We just want to make sure that everybody gets to enjoy Halloween.”

Luke Hanmaker, 10, of Smock, who was diagnosed with autism, said he was excited to donate a bench to the Allen family as a result of collecting plastic.

He has donated four benches and has collected 7,000 pounds of plastic to be able to build benches for the community.

“He toured the recycling center for his 10th birthday and after we were done after seeing all the plastic glass and everything,” said Hanmaker’s mom, Melissa. “Everybody at the garbage company is very good to him. The one day, he said the bench they had here, he said ‘It looks like it’s breaking mom. They need a bench.’” Luke has inspired other kids in other school districts to recycle, as well as churches and community organizations, according to Melissa.

“I know the owners and I used to work here,” said state Rep. Ryan Warner, who was in attendance Friday. “I think it’s great to have somebody that young doing this for the community.”

The Fayette County Commissioners named Luke the “Ambassador of Recycling” and gave him a plaque. He collects all kinds of recyclable materials and tries to give back in any way he can.

“The way he was able to do that is he’s collected enough plastic bags and shopping bags and things like that,” said Andrea Allen, who is part of the Allen family and gave Luke a present for donating the bench. “He obviously decided to donate a bench to us, so he’s going to put this plaque on the bench. The reason we decided to do it tonight is because he is diagnosed with autism so it just made it even more special to do it tonight.”

A doorman was at the entrance of the tavern to let the scarers know what kind of group will be entering the haunted house — making sure to be aware of who is coming through their doors.

There were different types of scares for different groups depending on what the individuals could handle in the numerous rooms the tavern offered.

Nick Algeri of Elizabeth Township has been scaring people at Allen’s for the past eight years. He usually works at the front of the tavern and looks forward to this event every year.

“Some groups can be non-verbal completely, and for those people, we take turns walking with groups like that because sometimes the kids like to be with the monsters or they feel a little bit uncomfortable,” Algeri said. “I have a really close personal friend of mine who is severely autistic, but he doesn’t have sensory noise, so he actually likes loud noises, so when that happens, we radio through the house.”

Algeri said he enjoyed the “totally different” experience and enjoyed the turnout of people to Allen’s.

“I love this. I’m excited for this,” Algeri said. “This is one of my favorite things because nobody offers it. It’s totally different, and it’s a really nice event. People coming have loved it on this night. It’s rewarding, it really is.”