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ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Youngsters from around the area tried on their costumes in anticipation of Halloween and took a tour during Boo at the Bike Trail on Tuesday evening in St. Clairsville.

The Belmont County Soil and Water Conservation District hosted the event. Logan Ambrister, Belmont County’s wildlife officer with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, manned a display of various animal furs, bones and information about local fauna.

“We’re talking about the native species that live here around us and kind of promoting wildlife and the outdoors,” Ambrister said. “Talking about the different species that live in Ohio so that people can kind of understand them a little better.”

St. Clairsville Councilwoman Kristi Lipscomb toured with her grandchildren.

“It’s their first time at Boo at the Bike Trail,” she said. “It looks great. We came for a walk earlier today and saw the signs about the animals. Ella (Kennedy) is almost 3, and she is very excited to do Boo at the Bike Trail, see the animals and get some candy. It’s usually pretty crowded, and I can see it’s pretty crowded and the perfect day for this. I’m thrilled that so many people showed up.”

Belmont Savings Bank staff members were also on hand to pass out bags for the children to collect candy. Alicia Jordan, marketing director of Belmont Savings Bank, said the bank was happy to help sponsor the event.

“We wanted to partner with the agency (SWCD) just to give back to the community,” she said, adding that Boo at the Bike Trail saw a flood of attendees within the first hour. “We brought 400 bags, and we’re already through half of that.”

Elizabeth Hartman of the Zanesville-based Wild at Heart wildlife rehabilitation center introduced children to several live animals including an opossum, brown bats, flying squirrels and other animals that only come out at night. For various reasons, the animals on hand were unable to be released back into the wild and so serve as “educational ambassadors.”

“We are here today to share some of our education,” Hartman said. “Our goal is always to rehabilitate and release. … We’re happy to be here. These animals are all native to Ohio, and they’re animals they’ll see in their backyards and we definitely want them to know they all play an important role and they’re not scary.”

Harman said the group is listed on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife website or can be reached by contacting a wildlife officer.

Barb Ballint of the SWCD board was also on hand to volunteer.

“They’re always looking for people to help them with their community service,” she said. “They do so many educational programs, and I think it’s really an organization that a lot of people aren’t aware of all the things that they do. … Just the nocturnal animals and the community coming out was very good.”

Hannah Ulrich, administrative director of the SWCD, welcomed the visitors.

“The whole purpose of this event is to educate people about nocturnal animals and how they’re not so spooky the way Halloween makes them out to be,” she said. “We have this event every year, and we have several different stations every year. We have a wildlife rescue that has brought some nocturnal animals that have been rescued locally.”

Ulrich pointed out stations that tested children’s senses of sight and smell compared to those of a bat. Children also navigated an obstacle course designed like a spider’s web.

The city police and the Cumberland Trail Fire District officials were also present passing out candy.

The bike trail tunnel was a central attraction, where children took a spooky journey filled with festive lights and inflatable monsters.

St. Clairsville Recreation Director Eric Gay said many people came together to make the night a reality and estimated that almost 1,000 children might show up.

“It’s a beautiful night and we’re just happy to be a part of this. It’s a great event for the community. It’s something that we look forward to, decorating the tunnel and being able to hand out the candy and seeing all the kids come through and all the families come through. It’s a great event they put on,” he said, adding that the event was open to everyone inside and outside of St. Clairsville.

He commended the work of his staff in setting up the tunnel.

“We have tons of candy down there for the kids,” he added.

The tunnel was particularly fun for Aylee Oldaker of Bellaire. According to her mother, Brittany Keating, she was enthralled by the lights and displays.

“She was born deaf and she just interacts … with all of the lights. She waves at everybody she walks past,” Keating said.

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