Bones and blood outline the doorway. You enter the house in pitch darkness, despite seeing people screaming for the exits. You begin to walk and feel your way through gore and guts. Turning the corner, you get tangled in spider webs and someone grabs you from the shadows. You escape from the evil clutches and from a corner in the next room, a low eerie voice asks you to hang around for a little while. Be careful how you answer, they may mean forever.
With Halloween only 20 days away, thousands of haunted houses, hayrides and theaters across the country are creaking open their doors promising spine-tingling adventures that you will never forget. The Philadelphia area is no exception. With so many interesting places close by, there will be plenty to do at the witching hour.
About 20 minutes from campus lies the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride at Arasapha Farms on Rt. 352.in Gradyville, PA. The motel this year includes high tech special effects, digital sound track and computerized lighting meant to scare you within an inch of your life. A giant fire-breathing dragon welcomes you into the haunted woods aboard the wagon hayride. The ride should last about 20 minutes and has 26 all new terrifying scenes with over 30 zombies, vampires and ghosts who will fly over you, grab you or maybe just come along for the ride. If that is not enough of a scare for you, there is also a maze through a cornfield with demons and goblins lurking in the turns.
Frightened enough? It is time to relax around a bonfire and enjoy some hot apple cider and a caramel apple. The fright fest is in full swing and runs until Oct. 31. There are also special nights including a live Q102 broadcast and live bands on stage. On Oct 13, dueling electric chairs and Zombie Paintball will begin at 3 pm. Tickets to everything can be purchased from Ticketmaster to avoid long lines.
In Fairmount, Philadelphia stands a Gothic castle-like structure that use to be the home of famous gangster criminals such as Al Capone and Willie Sutton. Eastern State Penitentiary is scary enough on an ordinary day, but this year experts from around the country are preparing a hair-raising Halloween tour. Program Director Sean Kelley says, “Certainly two acres of rusted and crumbling prison is unnerving on its own, but for the new year we wanted to learn what professional effects designers could do in these massive corridors.” “Terror Behind the Walls” invites visitors to participate in a witch trial and runs from now until Halloween. Last year 31,000 visitors toured the site that The New York Times calls “perfect for Halloween.” Reservations are recommended and are available at Ticketmaster.
The “Festival of Fear” in Feasterville, Pa, is open every weekend until Halloween and has a haunted house, a trail of terror and a haunted mini golf course. Fear Factor on the Fifth Floor is located at 23rd and Allegheny Avenues in Philadelphia and will feature celebrity appearances and live broadcasts from Philly 103.9. Jason’s Woods in Lancaster, PA, attempts to give us goose bumps with a horrifying hayride, barn of terror and a new 3D carnival of fear.
Grisly Gothic Gables in West Conshohocken tells visitors of the tormented souls of the family that once lived in this mansion. The family had much turmoil in its existence and some family members are still seeking revenge on each other. Be careful at this one, the living dead may try to get you involved. This event runs from 7-10 pm every weekend beginning today.
If you are looking for something on campus, Cabrini’s haunted tail is being held from 8-11 pm in the Grace Hall woods Oct. 19 and 20. The tour leaves from the Grace Hall Atrium and is free to students. Beware of the Cabrini ghosts, however. They tend to show up this time of year!
Featured Frights
Arasapha Farms
Bates Motel and
Haunted Hayride
www.batesmotel.com
(610) 497-0647
Hayride $10
Bates Motel & Corn Maze $7 each
Combo ticket $20
(Available also at Ticketmaster)
Eastern State
Penitentiary
Terror Behind
the Walls
www.easternstate.com
$15-$20
Student nights Oct. 24 & 29
(Available also at Ticketmaster)
Festival of Fear
Haunted House$8,
Trail of Terror $5
Combo $10
(215) 407-FEAR
Fear Factor
$10 Admission
(215) 227-2710
Jason’s Woods
www.jasonswoods.com
(717) 872-5768
Hayride $10, Barn of Terror $8,
3D Carnival of Fear $9
Grisly Gothic Gables
home.att.net/~allistair/Grisly
$10 Admission
Cabrini’s
Haunted Trail
FREE
Oct. 19, 20
Check the Websites or call for directions and more information. Some websites contain coupons or information on discounted nights. For other haunted events check www.hauntworld.com.
