Valentine's Day Chaos

Hollerin Haunts Hayride to hold My Bloody Valentine, Feb. 10 & 17, 2024

Photo courtesy of Hollerin Haunts Hayride

While corny and cliché love celebrations might be typical this time of year, a haunted attraction in North Carolina is hoping couples scream their way into each other's arms this Valentine's Day. 

“From a man's perspective, it's almost inevitable that you're going to get closer to your girl going through,” said Robert Pfouts, an owner of Hollerin Haunts Hayride in Clinton, NC. 

“I don't really know why girls do it,” he joked.

Hollerin Haunts will be open on Feb. 10 and Feb.17. 2024, for couples, friends, and haunt fans to celebrate Valentine's Day in a not so conventional way. 

Guests likely won't find beautiful bouquets of roses, cheesy ballads, and lovey-dovey signs of affection at the event, called My Bloody Valentine. 

Rather, Hollerin Haunts will be full of creepy clowns, creatures, and chaos. 

“I think it's just something different,” Pfouts said. “It's a different vibe for Valentine's Day.”

Photo courtesy of Hollerin Haunts Hayride

The haunt's hayride, which ends with a walk-through attraction, and The Darkness, a blackout walk-through, will be open. 

Guests can also play games, participate in escape rooms, grab a bite to eat, experience a coffin ride, and hang out and enjoy the spooky atmosphere. 

The haunt also will be showing a movie, possibly My Bloody Valentine, while guests enjoy their evening, Pfouts said.

At least 65 actors will be on hand to scare guests throughout the night. The same amount of effort that is put into the regular season will be put into the Valentine's Day haunts, he said.

“We strive to give everyone the best possible show every night,” Pfouts said. “We put the same amount of effort into the Valentine's Day show as we do for Halloween. So, it should be a good time.” 

If you go:

My Bloody Valentine

Feb. 10 and Feb. 17, 2024

7 to 11 p.m.

Ticket packages for the hayride/walk-through and The Darkness start at $35. Speed Pass and VIP options are available. 

More information can be found at www.hollerinhauntshayride.com.

Abattoir Haunt Indiana Valentines

Vincennes, Indiana - Abattoir Haunted Attraction will be having a special Valentines Haunt for one night only on February, 17, 2024 called Die My Darling. Abattoir, which means Slaughterhouse in french, features 2 floors of horrifying experiences and ultra realistically costumed actors that will scare you to death! All of your fears and senses will be pushed to their limits and you will never know what to expect when you turn the next corner.

Tapp the Haunt Hunters App on your smartphone for all of the Top Haunted Attractions from across the country. All featured in the Book Halloween Haunts on Etsy.

Sir Henry's Haunted Valentines

Plant City, Florida -- Sir Henry's Haunted Trail will be open for their annual Valentines Event called Love's Revenge. This features two haunted trails, escape games, laser tag, and more. Always a Great Experince at Sir Henry's Haunted Trail. Two dates only February 9-10 from 6:30 - 11:00.

Tapp the App Haunthuntersapp on your Smartphone to bring all of the Best Haunted Houses 2024 for Valentines Day.

Krampus Set to Visit the Naughty and Nice in Weissport, Pa.

Krampusnacht Kreepshow and Black Forest Krampusnacht are happening Dec. 1-2, 2023

Both events are scheduled for The Hofford Mill in Weissport, Pa.

While Christmas preparations are in full swing across the country, one venue in Northeastern Pennsylvania is celebrating an alternative to the traditional, jolly festivities. 

The Hofford Mill in Weissport, Pa., is hosting two days of Krampus-themed events on Dec. 1-2, 2023. 

Krampus is a character with goat horns, cloven hooves, and an often demon-like face. The creature is said to have originated in Eastern Europe. 

According to folklore, Krampus arrives in December to punish children who misbehave, as opposed to Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved children with presents. 

Krampusnacht Kreepshow, an adult-oriented event, will kick off the weekend at The Hofford Mill on Dec. 1, 2023. It's the pre-party to the family-friendly Carbon County Black Forest Krampusnacht, which will be held at the venue on Dec. 2.

“We just want people to come out and have a good time and to give a bit of an alternative to the candy cane Christmas, said Amy Dougherty, owner of Black Rock Events, which organized the Krampus celebrations. “It gives us something a little bit different to enjoy for the holidays.”

Photo: Haunt Hunters App
Black Forest Krampusnacht, 2021

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

Krampusnacht Kreepshow begins Friday evening. According to the event announcement, it includes:

• Live music by Habeas Krampus: The Twisted Oompah led by Mistriss Krismas, who “punishes the naughty and teases the nice.”

• Twisted sideshow antics of Lady Gypsy, Professional Monstrosity.

• A screening hosted by Madame Crufeli of the original “A Christmas Carol” (1951).

• Awards by the Keystone Arts Collective for the best dressed Kreeps and Krampi.

• Eastern European food and drink specials from the Hofford Mill and Coal Country Bolio and unique, alternative and cultural vendors.

Tickets for Friday's event are a $5 donation per person. Parking is available onsite for Krampus Kreepshow.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

Saturday's Black Forest Krampusnacht, appropriate for all age groups, runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes:

• Approximately 100 “fun-filled, creepy, spooky, unique, and Krampusy” vendors.

• A Krampuslauf Parade of the Krampi with acostume contest judged by Susquehanna Krampus.

• Krampus-themed games, including a baby toss competition, using fake babies, in keeping with the legend of Krampus whisking away ill-behaved children. 

• Krampusnacht photo ops.

• Live music by Big Country; the Peaceful Outlaws; Jessica Corbin; and polka band, The Pennsylvania Villagers.

• A series of local musicians presented by WaxPax Records.

• An interactive Krampus display by Robbie's Balloons.

• A series of D&D mini-campaigns by Jokers Are Wild.

• Doc Robert's of Colossal Radio playing festive tunes.

• Madame Crufeli showcasing her Merry Mutilations Holiday Movie Cuts.

• Folklore story time by Danielle Martin of Ambler Library. 

• Artwork by Keystone Arts Collective members.

• Children's arts and crafts.

“It's going to be a busy day,” Dougherty said. “It's going to be a lot to take in in a few hours.”

Dougherty said Black Rock Events was asked by the Carbon Chamber in mid-October to organize Black Forest Krampusnacht, which is in its fourth year. 

With help from Marissa Strohlein from Big Creek Vineyard and Kate McEvilly from The Hofford Mill, the trio put an ambitious schedule together to get the job done.

“We worked really hard,” Dougherty said. “We all put a lot of effort in to put this together in a short amount of time.”

If You Go:

Parking will be available onsite for Friday's Krampusnacht Kreepshow.

Onsite parking for Saturday's Black Forest Krampusnacht is limited. Handicapp parking is available onsite. Overflow parking will be available at:

1375 Oak Grove Road

Lehighton, PA 18235

Shuttles will be provided to and from The Hofford Mill, running every 8 to 10 minutes, depending on traffic.

The cost for parking at both The Hofford Mill and the shuttle site is $20.

Pennsylvania artist gives spooky twist to old dolls

Twisted Dolls owner turns unwanted dolls into handcrafted horror creations 

Photo: Haunt Hunters App 

It often starts with an idea, and then the search for a good face and body begins. Once a match is found, the eyes are removed, the hair is plucked off, and the clothes and makeup are stripped away.

By then, the transition into a spooky doll is well underway. 

Mary Jo Chudley, founder and owner of Twisted Dolls and Penn Paranormal, started making her horror creations about two years ago. She developed an interest in painting, crafts, and photography as a young child, an artistic side she continued to develop into adulthood.

“I wanted to do something different,” said Chudley, who also is a paranormal investigator. “People don’t collect dolls like they used to. You see them at flea markets, thrift stores, etc. So, I had an idea two years ago to take a few dolls I found at the thrift store and turn them into horror dolls.”

Her first creation was a Lizzie Borden doll she made from a tall, Irish doll. She also made a baby “Annabelle” doll from an old Shirley Temple doll. She created the baby “Annabelle” doll to accompany her larger “Annabelle” movie doll. 

Photo courtesy of Twisted Dolls 

Chudley also collects haunted dolls and objects, which she keeps in her Pennsylvania home. The dolls she makes are not haunted, she said. 

Once her dolls are ready for their transformations, Chudley said she paints them and then inserts custom eyes, prepares the wigs, searches for outfits, and usually looks for objects the dolls can hold.

One of Chudley’s largest creations was an approximately 5-foot-tall and lifelike doll depicting Regan from the movie, “The Exorcist.” 

She got the idea to make the Regan doll after visiting a Halloween store last year with the intention of buying one, but, ultimately, leaving without it.

“She was expensive and didn’t look real,” Chudley said of the store doll. So, I thought, ‘Let me try to make one for this Halloween. Then everyone loved her.’”

Photo: Haunt Hunters App 

Chudley bought a high quality and sturdy kids’ size mannequin with a stand and used a plain mask to build Regan’s face. She used plaster and paint to create her menacing expression and replicate the wounds Regan had on her face and arms in the movie. She added green to her eyes to resemble the demon-plagued girl’s malevolent glare and affixed a real human hair wig to the mannequin’s head.

“Then comes the fun with the throw up,” Chudley said of the textured mixture that looks like pea soup-colored vomit, which she splattered on the front of a green-flowered night gown. 

Chudley makes a variety of spooky dolls, from demented clowns to sinister baby vampires.

“I do custom dolls for people and haunted houses,” she said. “I have made dolls for the Enfield Demon House, Haunted SK Mansion; [I’m] working on one for The Warren’s Paracon and made a bunch of paranormal mascot dolls and more.” 

Photo courtesy of Twisted Dolls 

Chudley said her dolls have been featured in events at movie theaters, including “Date Night with Annabelle,” and “Date Night with Regan,” in which people watch the movies and have their photos taken with the dolls.

She said she loves making dolls that people will enjoy.

“I give old, unwanted dolls a new beginning with something different that everyone can enjoy all year round,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Twisted Dolls 

Photo courtesy of Twisted Dolls 

Photo courtesy of Twisted Dolls 

Photo courtesy of Twisted Dolls 

New Fear Unleashed at Field of Screams

• Massive Fear Factory scene brings the screams

• All four attractions updated for 2023

• Expanded entertainment area includes a bar and axe throwing

Photo: Field of Screams 

MOUNTVILLE, Pa. – A dilapidated factory just past a bend in the wooded trail bears the name Pickering Garment Co., established 1927. Guests on the hayride are pulled under the deteriorating facade into the dimly-lit structure, and the scares begin almost immediately. 

A girl can be seen with her head in a guillotine, crying for help, as bodies hanging from an overhead conveyor rotate above the guests.

“Do you want to see her die? Let me hear you if you want to see her die!” a voice yells to the wagon full of haunt fans, which responds resoundingly with loud cheers and “Yes!”

The executioner drops the blade, her head rolls, and the ill-intent of the maniacs running the factory is turned to guests in the wagon.

The elaborate scene and massive set, known as Fear Factory, is new to the Haunted Hayride portion of Field of Screams’ for the 2023 season. It is one of several significant changes to the Mountville, Pa., haunt, which is consistently known as one of the best in the country.

                             Fear Factory, new Haunted Hayride scene

Field of Screams began its 2023 season Friday, Sept. 8. It features four attractions - Haunted Hayride, Den of Darkness, Frightmare Asylum, and Nocturnal Wasteland, all of which received new additions. 

Jim Schopf, who owns Field of Screams with his brother, Gene Schopf, said ideas for upgrades and new ways to bring spooky entertainment to guests are constantly in motion.

“The gears are always turning,” said Schopf, who also said staff already has a list of ideas for future seasons.

According to Field of Screams, additions for 2023 include:

• Gory Garage in Den of Darkness, “where only the lucky ones will escape the clutches of Leroy the Mechanic. Watch in horror as he puts his tools to use on those less fortunate.”

• An entirely new basement in Frightmare Asylum, where visitors “are forced to walk through the inhumane treatment rooms” and through the recreational wing “where the inmates are just dying to have visitors in their presence.” 

• New twists and turns to Nocturnal Wasteland, where visitors will “encounter creatures and characters found only in your worst nightmares.” 

• Axe throwing lanes

• The Chainsaw Bar, which includes a custom-themed Field of Screams drink.

• An expanded immersive light, video, sound, and 3D mapping show in the entertainment area.

                     Light show at Field of Screams 

Field of Screams also features three 5-minute escape rooms: Captured, Lockdown, and The Heist; carnival-style games, a Scream Shop for merchandise, several food and drink vendors, live music and roaming actors who terrify guests as they walk around the midway. 

Jim Schopf said the haunted attraction will have about 200 actors for the 2023 season, which has increased since the Covid pandemic. 

The high number of actors keeps the scares fresh and guests wondering which one will terrify them next. The haunted attraction has scared over one million people since it opened in 1993, according to a press release.

Field of Screams' fall season runs through November 3, ending with Extreme Blackout, a darker and more intense experience that isn't part of the haunt's regular season.

Tickets can be bought by visiting Field of Scream's website.

            A scene from Frightmare Asylum

Reaper's Revenge Celebrates 15 Years of Fear

The haunted attraction opens Sept. 22, 2023

Photo courtesy of Reaper's Revenge 

SCRANTON, Pa. - Reaper's Revenge is celebrating "15 years of fear" this fall, a season that will include overhauls to two of its five attractions, among other upgrades, according to the haunt's social media videos. 

The nationally-acclaimed haunt just outside of Scranton, Pa., will run for 18 nights, beginning Sept. 22 through Oct. 29, 2023.

The haunt, which spans 65 acres, features approximately 200 scareactors and five attractions: Haunted Hayride, Lost Carnival, Delirium, Pitch Black, and Sector 13. Pitch Black and Sector 13 received significant changes for 2023, haunt officials have said in Facebook videos. 

Photo courtesy of Reaper's Revenge 

The attraction takes about 90 minutes to complete, according to haunt officials. 

General admission tickets are $69, include all five haunts and may be purchased online or at the box office. 

Guests can receive a discount on tickets on  Friday and Saturday nights if purchased at the box office with a coupon. The discounted tickets are $59 on Friday nights and $49 on Sunday nights. Coupons must be printed, and tickets are cash only at the box office. Coupons may be found on Reaper's Revenge website. 

VIP Experience tickets are $99 and include a general admission ticket and a VIP fast pass. 

Video courtesy of Reaper's Revenge