The Denver Gazette wrote the beginning of a spooky tale. How it ends is up to you. Creative writers in grades 1-8 are invited to finish the story, in 250 words or fewer, for the chance to win a 2026 Elitch Gardens season pass (also valid for the rest of 2025) and have their entry published in The Denver Gazette.

There will be two winners: One for grades 1-5 and one for grades 6-8. Winners will be judged on creativity, grammatical excellence and adherence to the 250-word count. Submit entries by Oct. 26 via this attached form. Entries must include the writer’s full name, grade level, school and contact information. Winners will be announced on Halloween, Oct. 31.  

A Haunting on Riverdale Road 

It was a frigid fall night on a lonely, dark road.

I had read the warning signs when I drove up Riverdale Road to meet some friends. “WARNING: Hitchhikers may be demons,” read one sign. “This road is cursed,” read another.

My friend had told me about a portal to another world that was somewhere along Riverdale Road. A portal that allowed spirits to roam freely in the night. 

But I completely shrugged off the warnings and stories. 

Riverdale Road, after all, was a beautiful 11-mile stretch of perfectly smooth pavement that wound through quiet open spaces and elegant, tall cottonwood trees. There was nothing to be afraid of. 

When I left my friend’s house that night, I turned down Riverdale Road and peered into the darkness. I noticed just how eerie things felt after dark.

That’s when I saw him. 

He was tall, lanky and ghostly pale, and he was running alongside my car. I wasn’t driving fast, but I also wasn’t driving slow. How was he keeping up? It was a chilly night, but no steam was coming from his breath as he ran. That’s when he turned, looked at me, and tapped on my window. 

I sped down the road as far as I could drive and stopped when I finally came to a stop sign. I let out a huge breath of relief. I could no longer see him. 

That’s when she appeared, right in the middle of the road…..

One winner from each grade bracket (1-5 and 6-8) will receive an entire season of fun for 2026 PLUS the rest of 2025 including Fright Fest and Elitch Holidays. Other Elitch Gardens season pass benefits include free parking, tickets for friends, a souvenir cup, entry to shows and events, dive-in movies, fireworks shows and over 150 days to play on the 54 rides and attractions.