An enthralling, enchanted stroll down a whimsical path to a world of fantasy

NyteWalk is a fun event for all ages, with nothing scary or frightening, which parents of young children appreciate. (Courtesy/NyteWalk)

WEST LEBANON, Maine - Columbus Day weekend brings a celebration of fall to the Northern Seacoast like no other. There's Mcktoberfest at McKenzie's Farm in Milton and Apple Harvest Day in Dover just to name a couple.
But this year there's also something different: a whimsical celebration of art, light and music spread out on a 17-acre mosaic of wooded splendor and beguiling creativity in a West Lebanon forest called NyteWalk.
Nathan Dowling of West Lebanon came up with the idea to create

A feudal castle complete with parapet and loyal steed nearby. There's even a fire to keep the creatures of the night warm and toasty (Rochester Voice photo)

NyteWalk after reading about a similar themed venue in Michigan three years ago, and last year forged ahead with creating his own lighted fantasy world on his family's property on Prospect Hill Road.
"It's an illuminated trail walk," he said earlier this week. "We have strung 10s of thousands of led lights, flood lights and whimsical displays of fantasy and art," he said. "When you walk through our areas each area

SILHOUETTE SIGHTING: What this silhouette was suppose to conjure or whether is was a natural phenomenon was a recurring subject of discussion. (Rochester Voice photo)

has a very specific theme; it could be a mushroom wetlands or an elf village."
Dowling said to make the illuminated displays come to life, they have "upcycled" more than 150 barrels, toddler playhouses and random items from local transfer stations to decorate their themed settings.

Dowling credits his mother, Linda Dowling; and sister, Abby Dowling, with enabling the success NyteWalk has seen.
He said they've been getting crowds from all over, sometimes 200 or 300 a night.

First-time visitors pause to enjoy the immersive blue and white ight tunnel that is one of the highlights of the experience. (Rochester Voice photo)

On Thursday Jason Mallar of Portland brought his wife, Lindsay, and their four young children to visit NyteWalk.
"It's cool," he said. "It's a nice little loop of fairy villages and that type of thing, very nice."
The walk, done at a leisurely pace, takes about 15 or 20 minutes, and folks are welcome to walk it a second or third time.
Tickets are $13 for adults and children under three free.
Dowling, a Noble High School graduate who works as a personal trainer, said for the time being they're open for nighttime walks in the fall and winter, but may open it up for daytime trail races or fitness events in the future.
He said the reaction he gets from visitors is very positive.
"They really like it," he said. "They really don't what to expect when they arrive, but they like it."
To learn more about NyteWalk and reserve tickets click here.