Ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night were riding all over Prescott and Russell Saturday for the ASD United’s annual Halloween Autism Awareness Ride.

“Beautiful turnout,” said Paul Taylor Sr., ASDU president, at the conclusion of the October 25 event. “Great weather and great interaction from folks. We’ve seen a lot more people dressing up and decorating their vehicles this year.”

The Saturday event began early in the morning at the parking lot of the Place 19-67 Motel Restaurant in Plantagenet as 45 riders rolled out on 38 ATVs and headed down the village’s main street towards the nearest off-road access to one of the ATV cross-country trails sanctioned by the Eastern Ontario ATV Club (EOATVC).

Riders spent between two and three hours following along 75 kilometres of the ATV trail network through Prescott and Russell counties. This year’s number of participants in the ride is double the previous year’s.

The annual ATV ride is one of several events that the ASDU organizes and sponsors to both raise funds and awareness for support programs and services for individuals and families dealing with autism. Funds raised from this year’s ATV ride will go towards the pool program that the ASDU organizes through the Town of Hawkesbury at the indoor pool facility in the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.

The ASDU pool program benefits between 20 to 40 people by reserving the indoor pool for one hour each scheduled session so that individuals who are dealing with autism and their families can enjoy some undisturbed family recreation. Each pool session is followed by another hour or more of recreation activity that ranges from watching a movie to enjoying a casual party or games session. Details and sign-up information on the ASDPR pool program are available at the group’s website.

The next major ASDU event is the annual snowmobile ride in February. The group will have an information booth at this year’s Hawkesbury Expo, November 8 and 9, at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex.