Zombies and ghouls were in short supply at the Halloween Spooktacular Oct. 19.

Instead, youngsters got their thrills on the barrel ride and scavenger hunt thanks to the Weisenberg Lowhill Township Historical Society.

This was the first Spooktacular for many of the children and their families, including Keith Hoffman and his kids.

“We were here for the tractor event and that was great, so we came back for this,” said Hoffman as he watched his sons enjoy the bouncy house.

His boys loved seeing the tractors the Old Time Plow Boys brought to historical society a few months earlier.

That’s when they discovered the shop in the Zimmerman’s Hotel building.

“My son Liam also loves the store so when we pulled in today, he went right for it, and we shopped for Hardy Boys books and other things,” he said.

The uncharacteristically warm October day allowed the visitors to enjoy the many outdoor activities at the Spooktacular.

“It’s a really nice day,” said Tara Plunkett, who had brought her two daughters to the event.

Just then, her daughter Mayverly pointed to the barrel train.

“I really want to go on that,” she said.

Many volunteers contributed to making the Spooktacular fun for the youngsters.

Optum employees joined the members of the historical society at several of the stations on the grounds.

“We’re helping here but we’re also collecting gently used clothes and books which we will be distributing to area shelters,” Tammi McGauvran said.

“I volunteered to do anything they needed me to do,” said another volunteer, as she applied face paint to Brodie Bair to the delight of his grandmother. “I even brought my daughter with me.”

At the bouncy house, a mother and daughter team was busy welcoming children.

“We work for Optum and so we volunteered to help,” Aquantia Rivers said. “This is a great thing for the kids.”

“I’m just here for support,” said her mother Charlene Smith grinning, “but when my company does [something like this], she’s going to get pulled in.”

It was a dream come true to be able to select candy and a small toy from each of the baskets at the bouncy house.

“The kids can take something from each gift basket,” Rivers said.

Sharon Faust and McGauvran, also Optum volunteers, registered children for a variety of activities including the spider crawl, mummy wrap and costume parade.

“You can wrap up your sibling in toilet paper,” McGauvran laughed.

Besides providing hours of fun, the Weisenberg Lowhill Township Historical Society welcomed contributions of books and gently used clothing for the Berks/Lehigh Connecting Cities through Optum.

The items will be distributed to area shelters.