With Halloween this Saturday, October 31, time is running out to face your fears at Great America’s Halloween Haunt. If you’re in the least bit curious about the real definition of fright, then take advantage of the remaining two days – Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31.
This year marks Great America’s eighth season of frights and features a new maze, inSANITORIUM. If you thought you understood the definition of fear, Great America’s Haunt will make you think again. The Haunt sees the return of some personal favorites including Dia De Los Muertos, Zombie High, Wax Museum Chamber of Horrors, Roadkill Road House, CornStalkers, Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor, Mirror Mirror and Toy Factory. Each has its own particular nuance. But from a haunted maze aficionado’s view, inSANITORIUM, Dia, CornStalkers and Toy Factory should be high on your list.
Don’t care for mazes? Haunt has three new Scare Zones. Killer Clown Town, Evacuate! and Lockdown- all with their own flair. The way to know you’re approaching one is the presence of thick fog. Evacuate! a Zombie Apocalypse. The only downside is it’s over far too quickly. Balancing that out are unexpected appearances of the actors who take their job of scaring very seriously. Great America’s experience making memorable shows is obvious as the actors blend in with the crowd before making themselves known. And that’s what makes them all the more surprising and terrifying. Just walking through the park, coming upon a foggy area makes you aware “something” can happen. But then nothing seems to happen. And that’s when things happen.
However, Clown Town takes the frights and delights to an even higher level. There are more than enough clowns waiting and these are clowns who take pride in their work of scaring visitors in new and exciting ways. If you hear the clacking noises of someone running at you, and you look and see no one, be prepared to be scared.
In addition to the mazes and walks, Great America also has some of its most popular rides open including Demon, Drop Tower, Gold Striker and Flight Deck.
If rides and scares aren’t enough, the live shows might be what you’re seeking: the Academy of Villains, outdoor acrobatic Nytewalkers, incredible aerial Blades of Horror and the Sideshow performers. All of the shows are extremely well done, with Nytewalkers providing a not-to-be-missed performance. However, don’t miss out on the Sideshow, which defies the term “Sideshow.”
All these scares are only available to those 13 and older, and costumes are not allowed. For those that want to have some fun, but aren’t that old, the Great Pumpkin Fest takes over Great America during daytime hours, featuring trick-or-treating with Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang, pumpkin decorating, a hay maze and coloring. The Great Pumpkin Fest runs through November 1st.
For more information and tickets, visit www.cagreatamerica.com/haunt. 2015 and 2016 Gold Pass holders get free admission. Discounted admission is available for students who can show their valid student ID.