MADISONVILLE, Ky. — Volunteers swarmed Mahr Park Arboretum on Friday, transforming stacks of raw hay bales into massive, whimsical sculptures that promise to turn the fifth annual Hay Bale Trail into a must-see autumn spectacle.

From dawn till dusk on the first day of decorating, teams from local churches, businesses and city departments wielded paintbrushes, props and sheer enthusiasm to craft 83 entries — up from previous years — ranging from towering biblical camels to a defense-themed grenade. The drive-through event, set to open Oct. 1 and run through Halloween, draws many people each fall for its blend of harvest charm and holiday magic, organizers said.

Cars were already slowing on Friday to catch a glimpse of the progress, signaling another banner year for the homegrown affair th

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