Recreation coordinator Andrea Hicks has been with Durham Parks and Recreation for three years, which is as long as Fright Night has been going on. However, this year she is finally getting the chance to plan and coordinate the family-friendly fall event.
Fright Night will be held at Rock Quarry Park on Oct. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. The park is just a short walk from the Edison Johnson Recreation Center.
“I hope it’s a time where, as a family, everyone can relax and make memories,” Hicks said. “Parents can see their kids be happy and have fun."
Hicks said she thinks Fright Night is important because it’s a family event, and it's free.
Michelle Burger, recreation operations supervisor, is part of the planning committee for Fright Night and has been helping Hicks with anything she needs.
Burger has been with Durham Parks and Recreations for 12 years and has volunteered to help run the activities and games at Fright Night in previous years.
Tom Dawson works as the assistant director for park planning, but he has made it a tradition of enjoying Fright Night with his daughter Fiona, who was seven years old when the event began in 2016.
“It sparked an interest in building cool things and the supernatural, which is really fun,” Dawson said. “We like the haunted house and games. It’s nice after being scared to go relax and play games and eat treats.”
The teenagers and adults get to enjoy the haunted house, while the younger children have plenty of friendlier activities, Dawson said.