Enchanted Forest will take kids on a fairy tale trip

Based on last year’s attendance figures – organizers say more than 4,000 people in attendance in four nights – the annual Halloween adventure “Enchanted Forest” has become quite a hit in Independence

The “non-scary” event is from 7- 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and again Oct. 24 and 25 at George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Road, and will feature more than 40 performers and possibly a few other guest performers.

“We have asked Mayor (Don) Reimal if he would like to be the Mayor of Munchkinland,” event organizer John Eppert said, adding City Council Members are advised as well. “We are also in need of two ogres right now.”

The event is designed for children ages 3 through 9, but is enjoyed by people of all ages, said Parks and Recreation Director Eric Urfer. Guided groups will travel along the park’s paved trails illuminated by jack-o-lanterns to scheduled stops to enjoy short re-enactments of children’s favorite fairy tales, stories and movie characters.

The trail includes original skits by movie characters Shrek and Fiona; Batman, Robin and friends; Harry Potter and others. Effie the Forest Fairy will greet forest visitors at the start of the trail to cast the enchanted spell.  

At the end of the trail, a hay wagon will carry the forest visitors for a ride past the park’s lakes and a light display made possible by Independence Power and Light.

Eppert said the Enchanted Forest owes a great deal of its success to city officials working together with organizers to make the event a go, adding people from Lee’s Summit to Liberty make the annual pilgrimage to Independence to attend.

“Without the Parks and Rec. Department and Independence Power and Light, the Enchanted Forest would be a mere shadow of what it has become,” Eppert said.

Admission is $2 per person at the gate. George Owens Nature Park is at 1601 S. Speck Road (north of intersection of East 23rd Street and Speck Road).

The Enchanted Forest is sponsored by the Powerhouse Theatre Foundation and the Independence Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call 816-325-7370 or 816-325-7115.

To volunteer for the event, contact Jodi Wynn at 816-325-7377. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will serve as guides and set assistants.