The arrival of fall in Bloomington/ Normal brings new activities. These fall festivities are the highlight of the season, and they really help Normal West students get into the late-year mood. Some of the more popular activities include haunted houses, the annual Evergreen Cemetery Walk, Rader Family Farms, the farmer’s market in downtown Bloomington every Saturday morning, and high school football games.

One thing that you will see Normal West students getting excited about is the various haunted houses and locations. Normal hosts the annual “Haunted Trail” located on the Constitution Trail. The haunted trail will take place on October 24 and October 25 from 6:30 P.M to 9:00 P.M. One of the more famous haunted locales in Illinois is the ‘Terror on Washington Street’ haunted house located in Clinton. This haunted house is ranked one of the top ten houses in Illinois. Students will be able to go to the house starting on the second weekend in October and will continue every Friday and Saturday until November 2 from 7:00 P.M-11:00 P.M.

Emma Bennett, a sophomore at Normal West, said, “I go to the Clinton Haunted House every year, and each year it gets better and better. It is fun to go with a group of friends, because it really adds to the experience.”

Mr. Rumps, an English teacher at Normal West, said, “I sometimes go to haunted houses, but since we have kids we usually don’t. We usually go to a farm or Tanner’s Apple Orchard. Also, some of the teachers and I get together and TP students’ houses.”

Another popular attraction in Normal is Rader Family Farms, which is located just West of Normal West. Some of the things to do there include: pumpkin-picking, a corn maze, a cafe/gift shop, and multiple activities for children. It is $6.00 for adults and children (3 and up) on weekdays, and $8.00 on weekends. Children 2 and under can get in for free. The corn maze, however, is an additional $6.00 everyday. Lindsey Kieser, a senior at Normal West,  finds employment at Rader Family Farms, “Although it is only a seasonal job, I still look forward to working there every fall. I like working in the coffee shop, because I get to see all of the kids and interact with the parents.”

The annual Evergreen Cemetery Walk, hosted by the McLean County Museum of History, is celebrating 20 years of history, education, and community collaboration this year. Students who attend the walk will be able to see the deceased members of the cemetery come back to life through the voices of the costumed actors who portray them. Some of the people who are being represented include important people in McLean county’s history, such as Charles “Old Hoss” Radbourn and Celestia Rice Colby. Anyone who attends this event will be able to see McLean county’s history unfold before their eyes.

According to the McLean County Museum of History’s website, “Evergreen Memorial Cemetery is one of the richest historical resources in our community. People from all walks of life are buried in this over 150 year old cemetery. Rich, poor, famous, infamous, loved or forgotten alike, they are all buried here. Evergreen provides an honorable resting place for all members of our community.”

With all of these fall activities, there is no wonder why students at Normal West look forward to the fall season.