You’ll still be able to scream this Halloween, you just might have to do it with a mask on.
A roaming character at the Halloween Haunt dry run at Kings Island on Wednesday. Some characters can only be found in specific areas, other have free reign to roam around the park.
Dusk settles over the Coney Maul scare zone during the Halloween Haunt dry run at Kings Island on Sept. 19.
Liz O’Brien of Dayton applies makeup to Dakota Thompson of Amelia.
A creepy clown gives guests a fright in the Cavern of terror during the Halloween Haunt dry run at Kings Island on Wednesday.
Air brush color for a zombie sits in the makeup room.
A bloodied club with nails sits in a costume bin before the Halloween Haunt dry run.
Madame Fatale stands with her wax works in the Cavern of Terror.
A clown gives guests a (nervous) laugh. Halloween Haunt at Kings Island opens Sept. 21.
A pair of wandering monsters strike a pose.
Pumpkins and fog line the new Pumpkin Eater scare zone.
The pumpkin eater animatronic is at the center of the Pumpkin Eater scare zone.
A ventriloquist and his dummy haunt the Coney Maul scare zone.
The new Pumpkin Eater scare zone is still being set up. The Halloween Haunt at Kings Island opens Sept. 21.
A monster stands at the front entrance of the Halloween Haunt which will run every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 27.
An infected hazmat worker.
A grim reaper greats guests.
The iconic King’s Island tower is lit up with sinister red eyes for the Halloween Haunt.
A haunted jack-in-the-box sits in the Coney Maul scare zone.
A group of teens stands in the fog under the iconic King’s Island tower during the Halloween Haunt dry run.
A clown turns heads in the Coney Maul scare zone.
Performers rehearse the Monster Rock stage show. This is one of three live stage shows featuring musicians, dancer, and more.
Performers rehearse the Monster Rock stage show.
Performers rehearse the Monster Rock stage show during the Halloween Haunt dry run. This is one of three live stage shows featuring musicians, dancer, and more.
Performers rehearse the Monster Rock stage show during the Halloween Haunt dry run.
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It’s the spookiest time of the year and a pandemic isn’t going to stop some local haunted houses from scaring people this fall.
Social distancing requirements will apply. Groups will have to be smaller and haunts will make sure you’re completely alone with your group during your scare.
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health released guidance on Sept. 18 for the best practices for Halloween, including trick-or-treating and haunted houses.
DeWine called hayrides and haunted houses problematic and strongly recommended that they be canceled or avoided.
DeWine shared the Halloween guidance on coronavirus.ohio.gov.
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Here is how some local haunted houses are responding to the pandemic
Dent Schoolhouse
Dent Schoolhouse has been a Greater Cincinnati staple for more than 20 years. It was originally opened by the Boy Scouts as a charity haunt. The story is that a janitor murdered several children in an old schoolhouse. The janitor was never found.
Thousands of people visit each year and co-owner Bud Stross is hoping that this year is no different. However, “obviously, COVID-19 has thrown everyone a curveball here,” he said.
There will be changes, especially because most of Dent Schoolhouse is an indoor haunt. Some portions of the haunt will be closed off this year.
All staff, including monsters, will be wearing masks. Guests will need to wear masks, too. Expect hand sanitizing stations, and guests will need to remain six feet apart. Monsters will also be socially distanced. The haunt will be zero-contact this year, so there will be no screens or claustrophobia bags this fall.
Staff will regularly and thoroughly clean the haunt, Stross said.
Attendance will be 50% less than normal and people are encouraged to buy tickets ahead of time. Stross expects the haunted house will sell out often.
“What’s really changed us is how do you scare someone while still trying to maintain social distance? Because that’s what this is all about, as well,” Stross said.
Monsters will try to integrate their face masks into costumes.
“Obviously, we want to have a place where everyone can celebrate Halloween because this year’s just going to be so bizarre,” Stross said. “Everyone needs a little ray of sunshine and who would’ve thought it would be a haunted house opening?”
Dent Schoolhouse, 5963 Harrison Ave., 45248. Sept. 25-Nov. 4. frightsite.com.
Terror Town opened for the first time in 2019. Thousands of people visited the haunt during its opening month.
“It’s really better described as a haunted festival rather than a haunted house or haunted trail,” said Matthew Hayden, one of the owners of Terror Town. The haunt is on the site of Old West Fest. There are saloons, an outdoor theater with nightly live performances and a variety of haunted trails.
This year, the storyline is about “cults” with a variety of stops. Terror Town is not for kids. “We really want to be terrifying. There are no light-hearted scares,” Hayden said.
The especially brave can get a red bracelet experience, also known as the “touch pass,” which allows the monsters, murderers and creatures to grab and touch guests in the park. This experience has been slightly adjusted due to the pandemic – the staff will not be able to do as much touching.
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“Last year, if you were wearing a red bracelet and you said ‘no,’ they’d drag you in anyway because you can always just take the bracelet off and throw it on the ground. This year, because of COVID, they can’t wrestle with you, so it’s going to be more of a tug on the shirt,” Hayden said.
Masks will still be required and social distancing requirements will be enforced.
“The fact that we’re open air, that we have this huge great space to work with and so many things within it allows us to separate groups and still entertain them,” Hayden said.
All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg, 45176. Sept. 4-Oct. 31. allhallowsevellc.com.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. The Long Branch Saloon.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Frank Drake, sheriff of Terror Town.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Another victim is found guilty of sins against the town.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Dressed in 18th century style are Shira Diamond of Covington and Tyler He of Oakley.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Main Street in Terror Town.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. A ghoulish figure.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. At another trial, a person is found guilty and dragged through the mud.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Joel Mericle of Union, Kentucky, is fitted for a coffin.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Ari Waters from The Celtic Cottage with dried blood on her stake.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Anini the clown eating popcorn.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. The band Chaos Ritual performs.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Heavy metal music from Chaos Ritual.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Members of Chaos Ritual are Lawrence Parlier, Brent Leonard, Rick Macko, Shawn Marlow and Glen Smith.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. At the Witch Trial, the Inquisitor tries people for their sins.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. At the Witch Trial, the Inquisitor tries people for their sins.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Zozo and Anini.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Anini.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. The Inquisitor tries people for their sins.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. The Inquisitor.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. James Phillips accused of sins in the town.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. A public hanging re-enactment.
The 2nd annual All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, located on Greenbush Cobb Road in Williamsburg, Ohio, opened on Friday evening, Sept. 4, 2020, and runs through November 14. Terror Town features haunted themes and trails, shops, restaurants, live music and many other attractions. Queen of Chaos.
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Land of Illusion
The Land of Illusion Scream Park opened for the season Sept. 11. Like Terror Town, it could be called more of a haunted festival than a haunted house, due to multiple trails, houses and spaces for scares.
According to their website, Land of Illusion has six haunts this year, live music and a full bar.
The haunt recommends masks but will not require them. Staff will time different groups in order to prevent groups running into each other during attractions, the website states.
Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, 45042. Sept. 11-Nov. 6. landofillusion.com.
Brimstone Haunt
This haunt is on the grounds of the Ohio Renaissance Festival, which was canceled this year due to the pandemic. But the haunt plans will go forward.
There are three different scare options. “The main attraction is the Brimstone Haunted Hayride and the hayride is fun for all age groups,” said Cheryl Bucholtz, marketing director. Typically, around 30 people ride at once, but this year, due to the pandemic, 10 or fewer people will ride at one time.
There is also a “Forgotten Forest” trail and an indoor haunt called “Psychosis.” Both will have limited attendance due to social distancing requirements. Masks are required.
Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout the park. Brimstone’s goal this year was to be able to scare guests from a distance. “It’s not less interactive, just done in a very different way this year,” Bucholtz said.