Shocktoberfest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shocktoberfest is an annual haunted event near Reading, Pennsylvania. The attractions can be summed-up as Dark Attractions, Haunted Houses, and a Haunted Hayride. It is referred to by Shocktoberfest as a "haunted theme park," although, it is not a theme park in the typical sense of the word.
The attraction opened in 1990 at Willow Glen Park and has become a staple for teenagers and families throughout the Mid-Atlantic states during the Halloween season. Over the years it has grown from humble beginnings as a hayride into one of the "Top 13 Haunts in America" - according to Haunt World Magazine (2006).
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[edit] The Land
The piece of land is situated adjacent to Route 422, outside Reading, Pennsylvania, buffered by a creek, Norfolk Southern tracks, and a housing development. Early land records show a much larger parcel than what is now called Willow Glen Park. Some of the land became Graffius Burial Vault Company and other pieces became part of the housing development.
According to Shocktoberfest's marketing, the land has a supposedly troubled past. They say that the land was home to a state psychiatric hospital, a state penitentiary, and a chemical processing plant. However, this information is simply marketing, as the land was never used for any of these purposes. However, claims of the Graffius Burial Vault Company being a short walk away are true, although it is not a part of Shocktoberfest.
[edit] The Attractions
The first haunted hayride opened at Willow Glen Park in the Fall of 1989 and it was called Field of Screams. It featured a twenty minute ride through the woods. Unbeknownst to the owners, there was another hayride located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that had been operating for a few years with the same name. Wanting to expand and be more than just a haunted hayride, they changed the name and Shocktoberfest was born.
[edit] The Toxic Asylum Haunted Hospital
Built for the 1990 season was The Toxic Asylum Haunted Hospital. This attraction featured state of the art animatronics (for the time). They created custom props and brought them to life using pneumatic air compressors and computer control to make the show dynamic and most important, repeatable on a continuous basis. The result was a really over-the-top experience for people who had never seen that level of professional effects before. It was later revamped with 3-D effects and renamed, "The Toxic Asylum 3-D Extreme".
[edit] The BioHazard Hayride
In 1992 the hayride was redeveloped from scratch and given the name The BioHazard Hayride. Four automated soundstages were built with shows that revolved around chemical and biohazard stories. A crazed scientist and chemically-polluted zombies were common themes even though the show changed every few years to keep the experience fresh.
[edit] The Warehouse of Terror: The Mystery House
No longer in operation. This ride was a classic indoor dark ride and fun house combined, slightly different from others. Unlike most dark rides, it included speed increases and drops. At the end of the ride, riders left the car and finished the attraction on foot.
[edit] The Prison of the Dead
A 50,000 square foot attraction built for the 2004 season. It is a two-level attraction, with portions indoor and outdoor, themed as a prison.
[edit] The Monster Midway
The Monster Midway located at the entrance of the park. This is set up in a carnival fashion where there will be food, classic side shows, and games. The Midway used to feature carnival rides for a few years, however they have been removed since 2004. Ticket purchasing can also be found here. And also the entrances for The Prison of the Dead and the BioHazard Hayride can be found towards the end of the Midway.
