Halloween fete gets a jolt in Vermont

WILLISTON, Vt. - A Halloween spook-fest was seeking a new attraction. Vermont's chapter of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni association - known by its acronym, VOMIT - was looking for a reason to create an electronic monster. It was a union made in . . . well, it was a nonprofit's dream. So the state's largest outdoor theatrical event, The Haunted Forest, is teaming up with Vermont's Own MIT to roll out a 17-foot mutant offspring at this fall's event.

What the animatronic creature will look like is strictly top secret, but fear not. Attendees will have plenty to distract them, including a dozen mini-performances scattered along a mile-long cross-country ski trail (shorter for the Saturday matinee), all of it aglow with a thousand grinning jack-o'-lanterns.

The doings include fire-spinners, hoop-dancers, creepy skits, and glowing performance art. Scare-Force One, a crew of ogres who jump out of the trees, will do their best to startle the unsuspecting, and the gadget-inclined are encouraged to compete in the power-tool pumpkin-carving contest.

It might sound scary, but don't expect chainsaws or gore. Jana Beagley, managing director, says, "It's just good-natured spookiness. This is definitely family friendly."

The Haunted Forest, Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston, Vt., Oct. 23-26 and 30-31, Thursdays 7-9 p.m., Fridays 7-10, Saturday Oct. 25 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 6-10, Sunday (Oct. 26) 6-8. Evening performances (suggested for age 8 and older) $12.50, Saturday matinee (oriented toward age 7 and younger) $8.50. 802-238-0923, thehauntedforest.org.

DIANE FOULDS