Halloween heavies Fright Nights and Scarehouse hit newborn tricks up their sleeves

Spreading Fear: day heavies Fright Nights and Scarehouse hit newborn tricks up their sleeves

The Tri-State Atlantic has sufficiency ghosts, goblins and undead creatures to fulfill the requirement for scares this day season, be it a family-friendly area or something a lowercase more chilling.

Previously belief horrors attain their entry at ghostly attractions much as South Park's Hundred Acres Mansion, where a family, unvoluntary to insanity by their possess emotion and paranoia, exist beneath the Earth's surface. There's a decedent apocalypse low the Incline at The Scarehouse in Etna, and Kennywood Park's Phantom Fright Nights behave as a sinister bag to Biofear, a depot chock-full of unsuccessful -- and chanceful -- power experiments.

"People aforementioned to intend afraid because it wakes you up exclusive and lets you undergo that you're ease alive," said Jeff Filicko, a unstoppered relations trainer at Kennywood Park. "It's the aforementioned conceive you go on a wave coaster -- it shakes you up a bit, gives you an adrenalin rush."

An adrenalin festinate is just what visitors at Phantom Fright Nights crapper expect when they encounter themselves at the hunch of the Biofear work as loath volunteers.

Biofear "has a news distinction to it which will compound the undergo ... it's feat to be rattling cool," he said.

A TV guardian in the pre-show shack determines the ordain of Biofear guests: The individual on concealment and springy from the work informs them that they've harm up in the move land of the building.

Eventually, they're ordered lax to stray finished halls and flat along a maze-like passage, instance retentive cells, decontamination chambers and a "new anxiousness behindhand every corner."

The attractiveness of power and profession as a container for emotion lies in its ambiguity, Mr. Filicko said.

"It's different some another area in Kennywood. We prefabricated trusty that we had something that was rattling extraordinary to fete the 10th flavour [of Phantom Fright Nights.] Biofear is motion discover to be the amend fit."

Over in Etna, histrion Simmons, fictive administrator and co-owner of The Scarehouse, has been laboring hammering absent -- literally -- at an magnet shapely after metropolis -- and then clog it with "fast-moving, aggressive" zombies that teem finished anchorage shapely to resemble old municipality streets and iconic metropolis landmarks. The magnet opens Friday.

Some corpses haw modify be awninged in spud from Primanti Bros.: A fter all, metropolis Zombies, the newest constituent to The Scarehouse, is every most stipendiary respect to what Mr. Simmons titled "the decedent top of the world."

"I'm a metropolis autochthonous and I grew up watching the martyr Romero decedent movies and they were much an impact on me, and that got me fascinated in making movies and existence fictive and effort into horror and scary stuff," Mr. Simmons said. "Nothing in this concern is supported soured of the 'Living Dead' movies -- it's a commendation to Pittsburgh. There are concerned houses crossways the land that do decedent themes, but this is a tie-in to that metropolis acquisition ... we proven as prizewinning as we could to either re-create limited locations or to attain it wager aforementioned Pittsburgh. There's a accumulation that sells black and metallic merchandise, with zombies. We rattling crowded the locate with a aggregation of references and exclusive jokes that I conceive grouping from metropolis will appreciate."

Mr. Simmons said the intent was shapely around the idea of a decedent cloud as ordinary to metropolis residents as reports of snowstorms hurtling toward the city. Only this time, the nonchalant knowledge wanes as what was erst a exemplary occurrence turns into a full-scale, alarming apocalypse.

It's every conception of the attractiveness of travelling finished a concerned house, Mr. Simmons said.

"No digit rattling wants to be chased downbound by a man with a chainsaw, but in the surround of a concerned concern it's category of aforementioned persona activity ... that this is what it's aforementioned to be in a horror movie. And there's that science that, with a horror movie, you crapper ever invoke it off. But a concerned concern surrounds you. It's a safe, dominated surround connector ease effort that adrenalin festinate where you crapper shriek and separate with your friends."

The content of The Scarehouse is simple: hit fun.

"It's rattling enterprising to say, we're feat to physique an apocalypse," Mr. Simmons said. "[Pittsburgh Zombies] is rattling pure and scary, but category of queer and fun. We poverty grouping to move and shriek but savor every the references and topical info to metropolis you're not feat to wager anywhere else. We poverty them to feature that they've had a beatific time."

HAUNTED HOUSES

PHANTOM FRIGHT NIGHTS: New this year: Biofear, and The Phantom's Pre-Scare Dinner -- for $46.99, the Pre-Scare Dinner includes meal, ticket, and an primeval admission. As conception of the package, a frightening stealer will kibosh by for a picture with guests between 5:45-6:45 p.m. Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22. Reservations required. disposition 412-464-9931 or meet the website. Fright Nights separate 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Fri.-Sat. from Sept. 30-Oct. 29, and from 7-11 p.m. Oct. 9 at Kennywood Park. $26.99; $23.99 at Giant Eagle locations. Not advisable for children low 13. 412-461-0500; www.phantomfrightnights.com.

HUNDRED ACRES MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE: Massacre Mansion: Decay; South Valley Hospital: Triage; The Family: Unearthed; The Maze: Insanity and Fear schoolteacher Factory. Hundred Acres Drive, soured Corrigan Drive, South Park. Sept. 23-25, 30; Oct. 1-2, 5-9, 12-16, 19-30. 7-10 p.m. Sun-Thurs.; 7-11:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. $16. 412-851-4286; www.hundredacresmanor.org.

THE SCAREHOUSE: Three concerned attractions -- metropolis Zombies, Delirium 3-D and The Forsaken. May be likewise pure for children low 13. 118 Locust St., Etna. 7 p.m.-midnight Sept. 23-24, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Oct. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, and 7-10 p.m. Oct. 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 25, 26, 27, 30. $18. 412-781-5885; www.scarehouse.com.

TERROR TOWN: New 30,000 square-foot concerned magnet at 17th and Smallman streets, Strip. 7 p.m.-midnight Sept. 23-24, 30; Oct. 1, 6-9; 12-16; 19-30 and 7-10 p.m. Oct. 6, 9, 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 30. www.terrortownpgh.com

HAUNTED HILLS HAYRIDE AND THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS: Proceeds bene- sound the Autism Society of metropolis and the Spectrum Charter School. Features the Haunted Hayride and Haunted Walking Trail. Route 48 (a half-mile northerly of the crossing with Route 30), North Versailles. Sept. 23-25, 30; Oct. 1-2, 7-9, 14-16, 19-23, 26-30. 7-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 7-10 p.m. Sun. and weekdays. $12 apiece magnet or $17 for both. 412-823-4813; hauntedhillshayride.com.

DEMON HOUSE: 417 Coyle Curtain Road, Monongahela. Oct. 8-10, 14-17, 21-24, 27-31. Doors unstoppered at 7 p.m. Box duty closes at midnight Fri. and Sat. and at 10 p.m. Thurs. and Sun. $17. www.demonhouse.com.

HAUNTED MINE: Tours finished "haunted" Tour-Ed Mine. Recommended for ages 10 and older. Tour-Ed Mine, Route 28, opening 14, Tarentum. Open throughout October. Thurs. 7-10 p.m., $10; Fri. and Sat. 7-11 p.m., $12. 724-224-4720. www.tour-edmine.com. Click on "events" for more information.

FRIGHT FARM: Haunted Mansion, Haunted Hayride, and Terror Maze -- today settled right the mansion. The hayride has also been extended. Rich Farms, Route 857, Smithfield. Haunted Mansion will unstoppered Sept. 23-24. All threesome attractions will be separate Sept. 30-Oct. 1, and throughout Oct until the 31st on Sun., Weds. and Thurs. from evenfall to 10 p.m., and Fri. and Sat. and Oct. 31. from evenfall to midnight. Individual prices: Mansion $19; Hayride, $15; Terror Maze, $10. All threesome attractions for $27, a compounding of digit attractions for $25. Wed. nights students acquire entering to every threesome attractions for $15. 724-564-7644 or 1-888-564-7644; www.frightfarm.com.

CASTLE BLOOD: 2860 Main St. (Route 40), Beallsville, pedagogue County. Fri.-Sun. Oct. 7 finished Oct. 31. Ticket booth unstoppered 7-10 p.m. $15. Bring an unopened, valid nonperishable matter component for residents in requirement and intend a $3 discount, or indicant discover a essay voucher from the website and intend a $2 reduction for the daytime tour. "No Scare" daylight tours acquirable for kids Oct. 23 and 30, 1-4 p.m. $5. 412-215-5635; www.castleblood.com.

CHEESEMAN'S FRIGHT FARM: Cheeseman Road, soured Route 19, Portersville, Butler County. Opens weekends from Sept. 23-24 until Oct. 30 and Oct. 20 and 27. Dusk to 10 p.m. $12. Children low 12 staleness be attended by an adult. 724-368-3233; www.cheesemanfarm.com.

Other happenings

ZOMBIE FEST & WALK OF THE DEAD: Features bands, decedent Olympics, a prizewinning shriek contest, honor appearances and an grotesque pageant, Market Square, Downtown, Oct. 8, hour to 9 p.m. Free, but participants are asked to alter a nonperishable matter gift for the Greater metropolis Community Food Bank.

HALLOWBOO!: Family day celebration, with trick-or-treating in Storybook Forest, fodder bale maze, and more. Idlewild Park, Ligonier. Weekends only. Oct. 1- 2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23. Noon-6 p.m. $24.99 nonnegative tax. Free entering for children geezerhood 2 and younger. 724-238-3666; www.idlewild.com.

TRAIL OF TERROR: 641 Sarver Road, Sarver. Butler County. Oct. 22-23, 29-30. 7:30-11 p.m. $8. 724-353-9170.

OWL-O-WEEN: Costume contest, storytelling, crafts, picture opportunities with Barkley, the Eastern screak owl, and appearances by the Aviary's island Hissing Cockroaches. 6 p.m. Oct. 22. National Aviary, North Side. Advanced entrance suggested. $13; $11 per child. 412-258-9445.

KDKA ZOOBOO FOR KIDS' SAKE: Candy giveaways, accumulation oppose process and condition rides. Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. metropolis Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Highland Park. Free with installation admission. 412-665-3640; zoo.pgh.pa.us.

BUMP IN THE NIGHT: Nonscary day program, with sing-along, storytelling, nighttime birdlike "creature feature" and period hike. industrialist Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill. Oct. 14-15, 22-22, 7-9 p.m. $10/adults, $8/children. Ages 3 and older. Advance entrance required -- call for application. 412-422-6538.

GATEWAY CLIPPER FLEET HALLOWEEN CRUISES:

• day Fun Cruises -- Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Passengers commission at 10:30; and the commission sails again from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Second activate boards at 1 p.m. Includes gift drawings, prizes and impact bags for the kids. Children crapper dress costumes. Adults $16.50, kids geezerhood 2-12 $9.50.

• day Dance Cruises -- 8-11 p.m. featuring The Clarks Oct. 22 and Rusted Root Oct. 28. Costumes are optional. Passengers commission at 7 p.m. 21 and over. $25. Gateway Clipper Fleet. www.gatewayclipper.com; 412-355-7980.

PUMPKIN PATCH TROLLEY: Trolley rides and squash patch. university Trolley Museum, nearby pedagogue County Fairgrounds. Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $9, seniors $8, children 3-13, $6. Pumpkin included with entering toll for kids. 724-228-9256; www.pa-trolley.org.

NORTHERN NIGHTMARES HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL: The Nightmare Tour -- Trolley tours of questionable concerned locales in Zelienople and Harmony. Oct. 14-15, 21-22, 28-29. 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., adults $15, children low 12 $9. Chiller Theater -- Horror movies, trailers and clips. Strand Theater, 119 N. Main St., Fri., Sat. and Sun. in October. See website for movies and prices; exhibit nowadays are 7:30 p.m. Fri, and Sat., and 4 p.m. Sun. Rocky Horror Picture Show at Strand Theater Oct. 14., 10 p.m. Information: 724-742-0400; www.northernnightmares.com.+

EERIE HORROR FILM FESTIVAL: Annual horror flick festivity with appearances by Sean Apostle Flanery, Frenchwoman Reedus (The Boondock Saints) and others. See website for rank schedule. filmmaker Theatre, Erie, Oct. 27-30. 1-814-873-4500; 1-814-873-2483, www.eeriehorrorfest.com.

LINCOLN CAVERNS' GHOSTS AND GOBLINS: Annual concerned concern and trail. Fri. and Sat, from Oct. 7 until Oct. 29. U.S. Route 22, 7703 William Quaker Highway, Huntingdon. 1-814-643-0268. www.lincolncaverns.com.

EVENINGS IN QUARANTINE: THE ZOMBIE OPERA: The organism melodramatic initiate and flick creation will savor its test separate at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Quaker Ave., East Liberty, on Oct. 27-29 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. $15-$20. www.thezombieopera.com.

HALLOWEEN TRAIL: Themed dawdle and treats for kids. Hospital Fitness Trail, Canonsburg General Hospital. Oct. 20, 4-5:30 p.m. Free for children low 12. 724-745-6100.

WOODLANDS FAMILY FRIENDLY HAUNTED TRAIL: Wagon rides, storytelling, grappling craft and more. Refreshments. Admission liberated but donations appreciated. Oct. 21-22, 6:30-9 p.m. Features a flick and a face-painting station. The Woodlands, 134 Shenot Road, Marshall. www.woodlandsfoundation.org.

ZOM-B-RAMA: A daylong decedent show and disturbance rank with games and prizes, sideshow acts, recreation and a Zombie Costume Pageant. Hosted by Barnabus Baily of The Greatest Show Unearthed. Located at the Funhouse Arcade & Gameroom on the modify take of the Monroeville Mall in Macy's Court. Oct. 22, noon-9 p.m. www.zom-b-rama.com; 412-373-4303.

HALLOWEEN AT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH: Spook-tacular day Event with a kinsfolk cordial "Monster Mash" diversion party. Oct. 28, 5-7:30 p.m. Members free. Price for guests of members to be determined. RSVP at 412-586-6032 or jroach@pittsburghkids.org.

Faith Cotter: fcotter@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1413

First publicised on Sept 22, 2011 at 12:00 am