The Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, is planning a haunted hay ride and trail experience in October as a fundraiser. The event is named Bender’s Bloody Hollow Hay Ride, as it will share some details and representations of a member of the Bender family.
Hay ride/trail dates are Oct. 19, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 31.
VFW auxiliary members Tom Davis and Susan Ellis discussed the event.
Those who attend will meet in the VFW parking lot. The charge is $10 per person for the hay ride/trail experience. There is an additional charge of $1 if you want to enjoy a hot dog and a drink. Scary movies will be playing in the parking lot. A bonfire is also planned.
“We’re going to entertain the kids before they get entertained (on the trail),” Davis said.
The haunted hay ride and trail experience will begin in the early evening on those dates and end about 10 p.m.
Davis said teams of volunteers are working on various areas of the trail experience and hay ride with safety being the guiding principle. Davis and Ellis said more volunteers are needed. To volunteer, call (620) 945-8003.
Two tractor-drawn hay wagons, which hold about 40 people each, will leave the VFW parking lot and take participants to the trail, where surprises await them. The trail starts less than a mile from the VFW near Queens Road.
Davis said the Bender story will be referenced in the adventure. The Bender family lived in Labette County between 1871 and 1873. Between eight and 11 bodies were found on the property in May 1873 after the Benders abandoned it and absconded. The fate of the Benders is unknown and subject to speculation.
There will be some walking involved as visitors wind through the haunted trail filled with various horrors before returning to the VFW.
Davis and Ellis said planning for the haunted trail of horrors began about two months ago.
Davis said the goal is to keep 90% of the proceeds from the haunted hay ride/trail experience for replacing two air conditioner units for the ballroom at the VFW. The remaining 10% will be for expenses related to the event.
The VFW has undergone a transformation recently, including updated bathrooms and the kitchen. The ballroom is on the list for improvements. But the two large air conditioner units for the ballroom will need to be replaced sooner than expected.
Davis and Ellis said the VFW has increased public availability to its facility through special events and fundraisers that help pay for the renovation. The facility is open five nights a week now, including for Monday night football. The VFW has also been serving special meals periodically and bringing in entertainment on some nights.
While membership is not required to attend special events and fundraisers, including Monday night football, Ellis said the post is still looking for new auxiliary members. Post members must have served in the military on foreign soil. Auxiliary membership requires having a relative who served in the U.S. military abroad.
