Wild River Country to host first Halloween-themed event

Work continues on Wilds of Wild River Country at Arkansas' largest water park in North Little Rock. The attraction, opening in October, will include at 30-minute haunted trail through a wooded area of the park.
Work continues on Wilds of Wild River Country at Arkansas' largest water park in North Little Rock. The attraction, opening in October, will include at 30-minute haunted trail through a wooded area of the park.

In October, Arkansas' largest water park will transform a portion of its operations into a haunted trail as part of the first Wilds of Wild River Country event.

Billed as "Arkansas' most terrifying horror trail," Wilds of Wild River Country advises children under 13 to not attend the event, which will be held on select nights Oct. 9-Nov. 1 at Wild River Country in North Little Rock.

Chris Shillcutt, Wild River Country's vice president of operations, said Wilds of Wild River Country will include 10 different areas with 50 to 60 live characters, depending on the night. The 30-minute trail will take guests through a wooded area of the water park not currently used.

"No two tricks are ever going to be the same," he said, adding that event organizers are building the trail in a way that each actor can choose between two or three different locations during each performance.

The theme — Beware of the Infected — allows guests to take a journey through "mutants, monsters and maniacs," according to the water park.

Wilds of Wild River Country will also feature haunted mazes, zones with "bone-chilling scares" and a "military safe zone," the park said.

Shillcutt said Wild River County plans to expand the Halloween-themed event next year with more performers and entertainment for younger audiences.

The park's general manager said he was unsure of a cost estimate but said event organizers are making use of existing materials at Wild River Country.

The attraction, he added, is part of Wild River Country's efforts to keep guests coming back throughout the year.

"Our whole focus is to make Wild River Country an entertainment venue and to make it year-round except for January and February," Shillcutt said.

Wild River Country introduced guests last year to a winter-themed attraction, Wild Winter Country.

Shillcutt said there are no plans to bring that event back for a second year.

Admission to Wilds of Wild River Country is $18.09 plus tax, according to the water park.

More information about tickets is available by calling (501) 753-8600 or by visiting the Wild River Country website.

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