Stalwart’s Haunted Barn opens Friday

The United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula is taking its 2015 campaign to the Stalwart fairgrounds this weekend.

Stalwart Agricultural Fair organizers will be operating their Haunted Barn on the site from 7-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday as a fundraiser for the non-profit group, which supports human services agencies in the region. The Haunted Barn was open last weekend, too, as a main attraction at the annual Stalfest event, which raises money for the fair.

This is the Haunted Barn’s third year, but it is the first time the attraction will be kept open beyond Stalfest. Fair board member Maggie Clegg said she got the idea to use the barn as a United Way fundraiser in part because of what the organization brings to the community.

“They do so much for the Eastern Upper Peninsula,” she said.

Clegg sets the barn up with friends Cindy and Darryl Markstrom, who drive up from Webberville (near Lansing) for the project each fall. She said 80 percent of the materials used at the site have come from the Markstroms.

Several fair board members and United Way officials are also volunteering their time for the barn.

Additionally, organizers are getting help from some employees of J.C. Penney in Sault Ste. Marie. Clegg works in the store, and this will not be the first time its workers have tried to help the United Way.

“We’ve partnered with J.C. Penney in the past on a few different things and they’ve been great supporters of United Way,” said Tracy Laitinen, the organization’s executive director.

The United Way’s current campaign began Aug. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. It has a goal of raising $300,000, and so far has brought in $19,622. Laitinen said that is on pace with previous years’ campaigns.

She added that the barn’s volunteers have been very helpful, especially since they allow her organization’s small office staff to hold a large fundraiser without having to shift too much focus from their campaign.

The cost to visit the haunted barn is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Laitinen said the attraction is family-friendly and will give kids an early chance to show off their halloween costumes.

“Get dressed, get creative ... Drive out to Stalwart for an hour, go through the haunted barn,” she said. “Should be fun.”