Haunted attraction
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A haunted attraction or dark attraction is a venue which simulates the experience of visiting a structure or outside space that is inhabited by what appear to be supernatural beings, such as ghosts or spirits. They can also be venues featuring other frightening subjects such as crazed animals or loose murderers. The illusion, created by actors, animatronics, illusions and special effects, is designed to frighten patrons who typically purchase tickets for the privilege. These events are open to the public and commonly held throughout the month of October, leading up to Halloween. However there is a small sub-set of dark attractions that are open all year long. Over the years, dark attractions have expanded their scope beyond the "haunted house" format to include any place that is either ominous or foreboding, such as abandoned factories, old prisons or 1900s-era hospitals/asylums.
Running and owning dark attractions and haunted houses is an industry in and of itself. It is estimated there are around 3,000 operating every year in North America alone. There are also a great many haunted houses run as non-profit charity fundraisers by such organizations as the Jaycees or Kiwanis Clubs.
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[edit] Venue
Events held in older, slightly dilapidated buildings utilize the natural atmosphere with strategically placed special effects, lights and props, while others will construct elaborate scenery and contain amusement park quality mechanical figures and illusions. On the same token, actors in these dark attractions might be dressed either in masks or greasepaints and basic costumes, but those with higher budgets often opt to dress their characters in customized outfits and elaborate make-ups. Another difference to be found is that some dark attractions present their event as following a storyline (i.e., the tale of madness and murder that lead to the building being haunted), while others present a random order of scenes and tableaus designed to shock and startle the patrons. Visitors to these dark attractions may be escorted through by tour guides (possibly in part to help deter potential encounters between actors and patrons who were suddenly startled or are under the influence of alcohol). Other attractions may be run as self-guided events, letting the patrons follow a set path and thus get more "up close and personal" with the ghouls and monsters therein.
[edit] Haunted hayride
Haunted hayrides are haunted attractions set in farmers' fields, primarily across the United States. There is no definite record of where the first one was held. As popularity increased entrepreneurs began to view the haunted hayride as a legitimate family attraction, and helped to create a new Halloween tradition.
[edit] Haunted trail
A haunted trail or spooky trail is usually held at night in a public park, garden, or preserve, although it may be held at any outdoor venue. They are often included as one of the attractions at a Halloween carnival. In most instances, a trail or walkway is used. When said trail or walkway does not exist, one is cordoned off through use of ropes or barriers. Along this trail are displays or exhibits representing cemeteries, crime scenes, and the like. Also along this trail are human subjects dressed up to resemble mummies, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and various other scary characters. These actors frequently jump out at guests along the trail, or they may walk back and forth in silence and simulate operation of axes, chainsaws or other sharp garden equipment. Some haunted trails may have a maze near the end. A variant of the haunted trail that has gained popularity over the past few years has been the cornfield maze, in which patrons follow a path cut through the dense foliage of a cornfield and encounter various creatures and scenes within. Some of these mazes can be quite large and cover several acres.
[edit] Haunted yard
An American Halloween tradition is to decorate a house, yard or garage and open it to other members of the public. For some, the yard is something created specificially for Trick-or-treating and is in place for one night only. For others, the decorations are done more in the tradition of Christmas decor and appear a month or so before the actual holiday.
Common motifs for Halloween yard are settings resembling a cemetery, a haunted house, or a specific monster-driven theme built around characters such as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Zombies, Werewolves, etc. Some use plywood to create a haunted attraction.
Typical elements of decoration include Jack-o'-lanterns, fake spiders and cobwebs, and artificial gravestones and coffins. Coffins can be built to contain bodies or skeletons, and are sometimes rigged with animatronic equipment and motion detectors so that they will spring open in reaction to passers-by. Eerie music and sound effects are often played over loudspeakers to add to the atmosphere.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Autumn Chill, an international directory of haunted attractions, ghost tours & dark rides
- The Haunted Report. The only blog covering the Haunted Attraction Industry
- The International Association of Haunted Attractions
- Directory of US haunted houses and attractions
- List of Halloween projects
- Directory of UK haunted houses and attractions
