OCTOBER 11, 2013 FRIDAY 5 PM - Coming soon: An amazing story about a way cool actor at HOUSE OF FEAR in HAZEL PARK. This guy was actually shipped in from America's Dairyland exclusively for this volunteer haunt! HE ROCKS.

OCTOBER 11, 2013 FRIDAY 4 PM - Can't wait to get haunting again tonight! Also, ERWIN'S review now posted and now being written: review for A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD in WEBBERVILLE.

OCTOBER 10, 2013 THURSDAY 5 AM - MEDIA HAUNT FRENZY KICKS IN

My home delivery of The Detroit Free Press just arrived, with the weekly "PLAY" section which pumps people up for the weekend. The cover headline for it is "TRICKS OF THE TERROR TRADE - THE MEN BEHIND THE MONSTERS SHARE SOME INSIDER SECRETS."

The cover picture shows the RINGLEADER from SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK, looking fabulously wicked but with a sly grin that contradicts his appearance. A great choice for the cover.

The article inside is excellent! It starts with a half page picture of The Wizard from the REALM OF DARKNESS. He looks amazing, as if from a major movie like THE LORD OF THE RINGS. It's not makeup, but a special silicone based prosthetic of sorts for his face.

In case you don't know, at the REALM OF DARKNESS not everybody gets to meet The Wizard. You must pass the tests, and pay attention to what you've been told!

The article continues with interviews of actors from DEADLAND, EREBUS, SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK, and BLOODBATH ON BIDDLE.

Pictures from key actors at each haunt are shown, and ALL of them are Hollywood quality.

But of course, because DETROIT IS THE HAUNTED HOUSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!

OCTOBER 9, 2013 WEDNESDAY 10 PM - Just revealed: How they did "it" at THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS. (See Reviews 2013_A)

OCTOBER 8, 2013 TUESDAY 2 PM - A FOG MACHINE LIKE NO OTHER

Every year, we see something new in haunting. Elaborate or simple, if it enhances the haunting experience we want to know about it.

When we spot an innovation that enhances the haunt experience, we make special note so it can be reported later.

Unless lightning strikes us twice, we found this year's major innovation Saturday night at THE HAUNT.

First, here's the effect: You're walking through a dark passageway, and suddenly an actor's face appears out of nowhere with brightly colored makeup. He flashes a silly grin, and becomes a HUMAN FOG MACHINE as he opens his mouth and fog pours out!

HUH?!

There's no pumping noise, no visible source of light, no wires or sensors, no sudden movements as if cueing or activating some mechanism...HOW DID THEY DO THAT? (See review for THE HAUNT for details)

OCTOBER 8, 2013 TUESDAY 12 MIDNIGHT - YOU ONLY HAVE ONE MORE DAY!

KRAZY HILDA'S TRAIL OF TERRORS in CHELSEA has a very unusual schedule this year and it might be just the ticket you're looking for!

Here's the deal: They're open this season to the public for only one more day, which is THIS COMING THURSDAY October 10th. www.facebook.com/krazyhildashauntedattractions.com

The location is Sugarloaf Campground at 8400 Loveland Road, so the ambiance should be great. And we just LOVE their homemade one-of-a-kind spooky creatures, passed on from generation to generation of this family.

Since they're OPEN THIS COMING THURSDAY, you can get a jump start on the weekend at KRAZY HILDA'S! Or, if you're a haunt operator that laments about never getting to see any other cool haunts...HERE'S YOUR BIG CHANCE!

Their abbreviated schedule this year is due to a private 2 day haunted party later in the season for some very lucky campers!

OCTOBER 7, 2013 MONDAY 12 NOON - NEW KID IN TOWN / CREATURE FROM CHEESELAND INVADES LOCAL HAUNT

The changing of the guard at 8 Mile & Dequindre is complete. DEADLANDS HAUNTED HOUSE is the new kid in town there in Warren, and they delivered the goods!

HOUSE OF FEAR in HAZEL PARK has been invaded by America's Dairyland, and they're actually happy about it!

Details appearing soon in their reviews...

OCTOBER 6, 2013 SUNDAY 2 AM - THE FUTURE IS NOW!

Last night we saw the future of haunting at THE HAUNT.

Yes, the new show at THE HAUNT is fabulous with an amazing variety of scenes and fantastic actors.

But that's not the really big news...that's not "it."

Remember we mentioned about innovation running rampant at THE HAUNT, and how everything begins as a thought?

Well, the operator at THE HAUNT had a thought last year...based on his love of haunting and family...that led to"it."

"It" will CHANGE THE FACE OF HAUNTING and totally impressed us with its incredible effectiveness, and ease of operation.

But you don't need to go to THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS to see"it."

There's a good chance you already saw "it."

Did you go to EREBUS? If so, you saw "it."

Did you go to REALM OR DARKNESS? If so, you saw "it."

So, what is "it"?

ERWIN'S has expanded their barn to great effect, and has outrageous new creatures that are way cool!

This is year 6 for A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD, and things are going so well that a major expansion is in the works. This reminds us of what Crazy Bob at the Haunted Hydro in Ohio says about new haunts: Don't expect to make money in the first couple years, and if you make it past 3 years, you've really got something going.

SLAUGHTER HOUSE did their homework, and planted special hybrid CORN THAT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF...it's like FOURTEEN FEET HIGH! To our knowledge, NOBODY else in Michigan has corn like this...and it's super tasty too.

OCTOBER 5, 2013 SATURDAY 2 AM - WOW! All 3 haunts we visited on Friday night were killer! Each has unique strengths they play on, and that makes it so interesting. Creative juices bubbling and flowing...everything starts as an idea...and whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve.

OCTOBER 4, 2013 FRIDAY 4 PM - HOORAY! We just talked to A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD in WEBBERVILLE to re-schedule our missed visit earlier this season. We had a BLAST there last year...in fact it's where we went for Halloween last year!

Also on tap tonight is ERWIN'S ORCHARDS in SOUTH LYON and SLAUGHTER HOUSE in FOWLERVILLE. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!

OCTOBER 4, 2013 FRIDAY 2 AM - Review now posted for: SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK www.ScarefestScreamPark.com

And appearing tonight at SCAREFEST is the classic rock band NO VACANCY: www.facebook.com/pages/No-Vacancy-band/1500884 05049747

OCTOBER 3, 2013 THURSDAY 1 PM - RAIN OR SHINE?

Rats! The weather could force us to change our plans for Friday, but NOTHING can stop us on Saturday from going to The Haunt.

Huh? WHICH haunt?

THE HAUNT.

If you're in Detroit, you may be wondering what in tarnation we're talking about...but OVER 350,000 other people know just what we mean.

It's the haunt that is named THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS.

What, are you crazy? GRAND RAPIDS? Isn't that like a million miles away?

That's what we thought at first. But after our very first journey to THE HAUNT, it became a yearly pilgrimage.

THE HAUNT is bursting with quality and innovations galore, and actors are anxious to return because they are treated so well.

We have nothing to gain by telling you all this, except the knowledge that we're helping spread the message we first heard long ago from a mega haunt operator in the Detroit area. That haunt operator told us that THE HAUNT was flat out THE BEST HAUNTED HOUSE IN MICHIGAN! www.the-haunt.com 

OCTOBER 1, 2013 TUESDAY 2 AM - THE FORK IN THE ROAD / CONFUSION SADLY REIGNS NO MORE

Haunts comes and haunts go, but two we're really sorry to see go are only one word different from each other: HAUNTED HALLOWS and HAUNTED HOLLOWS.

We already mentioned the HAUNTED HALLOWS closing in Westland, and it's doubtful they'll be back.

The other haunt closed in 2013 is HAUNTED HOLLOWS in ARMADA, and had become a MUST SEE HAUNT for us along with BLAKE'S making a fabulous east side trip.

HAUNTED HOLLOWS had an incredible actor that could NOT be seen, and a Vortex (black hole) so big the tractor pulled the hayride through it! A fire spinner entertained while waiting in line, and the ambiance at the haunt was fabulous.

The future status of HAUNTED HOLLOWS in ARMADA is unknown to us now, but we'll call them soon and let them know they are missed.

Sadly, we also need to call McCURDY'S REVENGE in CORUNNA for the same reason. We're even more disappointed, because we missed them in 2012 and had them on the MUST SEE list.

McCURDY'S website is still active however, and says they just had too many other projects going this year...they hope to be back.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 MONDAY 8 PM - WARNING! CANINE COMMENTARY FOLLOWS / DISREGARD IF YOU DISLIKE DOGS

This is off subject totally, but we just want to say THANK YOU for the warm concern regarding our Daisy Dog who is going to be OK!

Apparently, we're not the only haunters that are also dog lovers...so I have a little story to share with you. I saw this on the NBC national news a couple months ago just before the "Making A Difference" ending segment.

ALERT! END OF CANINE COMMENTARY / MORE BIG NEWS FROM THE HAUNT WORLD COMING VERY SOON!

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 MONDAY 1 AM - EVERY ENDING IS JUST A BEGINNING

Earlier, we were lamenting this year's loss of HAUNTED HALLOWS in WESTLAND. They couldn't pull things together to put on a show of the quality people had come to expect of them. Although we miss them dearly, we commend the decision.

On the other hand, Westland has the brand new haunt HUSH, and it's a winner!

We went to HUSH and also to the SCREAM MACHINE in TAYLOR last night, and both haunts had cool shows...details soon. 

SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 SATURDAY 7:30 PM - Just talked to the FUNERAL HOME, and gotta love it...the guy was ALREADY in character, wise cracking like a zombie-woof!

Did you know there's a hayride at THE OLDEST FARM IN MICHIGAN?

I'm on my way there first, at PHANTOM FOREST HAYRIDES in GROSSE ILE which TOTALLY ROCKED LAST YEAR.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 SATURDAY 7 PM - OUR DAISY DILEMMA  / FAMILY FIRST

I can't believe the timing! I was just tying my right shoe...then out the door to our meeting spot...RING!

It's my partner, calling to say her "daughter Daisy" needs to go the hospital right away...she can't make it tonight and is SO disappointed...but FAMILY ALWAYS COMES FIRST.

Like I remember the time the main guy at DEADLAND HH LEFT THE HAUNT IN FULL COSTUME to rush to the hospital...where his wife was giving birth!

Oh, I forgot...Daisy is a DOG...but still family.

Our apologies to BESTMAZE & HAUNTED TRAIL and A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD.

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD

Time for Plan B...just me somewhere REAL CLOSE TO DETROIT...perhaps the FUNERAL HOME in INKSTER? Oh yeah...we mentioned SMALL BUT MIGHTY earlier about SINISTER...that reminds me of this place too!

SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 SATURDAY 2 PM - COINCIDENCE, OR FATE?

This is really weird...the last 2 years we ended up changing plans to go to EREBUS and went instead to a comparatively small haunt off the beaten path in WEBBERVILLE called A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD. www.NightmareOnElmRd.com

Today we almost did the exact same thing...but in REVERSE.

On Friday afternoon, we had decided on going to Webberville area on Saturday night.

But then on Friday night (last night) we ran into our buddy Howard, and he said he's going to EREBUS Saturday night.

Hmmm...we got to thinking...wouldn't it be fun to do EREBUS with Howard, the same guy who wowed us for years at DEADLY INTENTIONS?

The coin had been flipped, and we tried to logistically make it work with our personal schedules.

So instead of trading EREBUS for NIGHTMARE, we almost traded NIGHTMARE for EREBUS!

It was a nice idea that didn't work out, but that's OK...we'll hit PONTIAC later.

And besides, we're excited to also be going tonight to BESTMAZE & HAUNTED TRAIL in WILLIAMSTON which we loved in 2010.

BESTMAZE was the first to use a unique water drainage system so it doesn't turn into a mud bath after rain!

And they always release aerial photos of their creations, as they are giant works of art to be proud of! www.bestmaze.com

SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 SATURDAY 2 AM - IT'S A SMALL WORLD, AFTER ALL / CHANGING OF THE GUARD

We had a great Friday night in Lenox Twp. at both haunts...it was SO much fun!

And you just never know who you might run into at a crowded haunt...so we just got on the hayride at SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK and somebody calls over to us...NO WAY! It's that guy SLOBBER who put on all those outrageous shows at DEADLY INTENTIONS...we went there just last year and SLOBBER went out with a BANG-UP SWAN SONG for the now legendary DEADLY INTENTIONS in WARREN at 8 Mile and Dequindre.

Lots of you are probably too young to know about the early days of DEADLY INTENTIONS. They pushed the envelope in hilarious ways that let them skate under the radar, where other similar haunts got banned and forcibly shut down like FOUR BEARS in UTICA.

UTICA...oh yeah last year in UTICA, SINISTER HAUNTED HOUSE BLEW US AWAY! It's not very big size wise but they delivered a GREAT HAUNT EXPERIENCE and the phrase SMALL BUT MIGHTY describes SINISTER HH perfectly. They were SO clever and wacky with their story lines, improvising left and right with the skill of a Las Vegas standup comic.

The ability to be intellectually funny on-your-feet is no small feat!

Hmmm...just remembered another haunt that BLEW US AWAY IN THEIR FIRST YEAR with that same level of acting that started in just a tiny storefront of a strip mall near Flint.

The name of that haunt was DEADLAND.

Well, guess what?

That exact same DEADLAND that stretched our brains every which way and left us craving more has MOVED TO THE DETROIT AREA...in fact right at 8 MILE & DEQUINDRE where DEADLY...no...make that the DEADLAND HAUNTED HOUSE is!

So basically, DEADLAND took over from DEADLY...just sounds like it was meant to be...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013 THURSDAY 2 PM - BIG FUN IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS!

It's for sure now! We're hitting both haunts in Lenox Twp. tomorrow night, and we can't wait!

HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR has the KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF HAYRIDE, and their walk thru haunt blew us away with crazy, impromptu storytelling and acrobatic assaults from every nook and cranny.

HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR also features some the BEST FOOD you will ever see at a haunt in their ROAD KILL CAFE.

SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK has an amazing part of haunted history on premise and a SLAM BANG START to the evening JUST BEFORE the first hayride goes out. This has been a unique feature the operator here developed back at JOHNNIE APPLESEED'S, before they tore it down for a strip mall. :(

SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK has something else very rare at a haunt too - a FULL LIQUOR LICENSE. Ice cold suds go down REAL easy after an intense night of haunting, and the Apple Pie drinks are delicious!

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 WEDNESDAY - EAGER TO A FAULT / ANSWERING NATURE'S CALL

We're still deciding about Saturday and Sunday, but Friday we know for sure we want to hit some OUTDOOR HAUNTS because the weather should be clear.

However, we know that in general outdoor haunts have the biggest challenge to get ready for the season...and really...it's NOT EVEN OCTOBER YET...for most haunts the season does not start in September!

SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 SUNDAY 4 PM - Just added to "OTHER Mich": PURGATORY'S REVENGE in NEW HAVEN.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 SUNDAY 3 PM - HAPPY TRAILS / POURING GAS ON THE FIRE AGAIN

We had fun last night at TERRORFIED FOREST and BONEYARD, and met a cool haunter from Oakland County at the BONEYARD who had been to every haunt we could mention!

Part of the fun of haunting is meeting new people, and swapping stories from the frontlines.

But that's OK, it's just part of Haunted Folklore or as some call it "Urban Legends."

Like...did you hear about the haunt last year in Ann Arbor put on by a renegade frat house? The Dean of the school went through with a hidden camera, and they ALL got expelled.

It was $100 to get in, but they gave you $10 back for each room you made it through...but NOBODY made it past the 3rd room!

DOÂyou believe it?

If so...GOTCHA!

NONE of what you just read is true...this is just another of endless variations on a theme of the sickest possible haunt.

THE SECRET SNICKER

No, not the candy bar you stole from your kid brother's stash.

It's US...after we just passed a large group of haunters walking the opposite way, when I say to my partner is an excited voice, "Wow, did you hear about the INSANE HAUNT AT THE FRAT HOUSE IN ANN ARBOR?"

To which she replies, "NO WAY! Tell me about it..." and then as we pass out of earshot we give each other a little secret snicker.  :)

 *************************************************************

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 WEDNESDAY 11 PM - NEW KID ON THE BLOCK / THE OTHER BIG INSIDER QUESTION NOW ANSWERED!

On Sept. 12th, we broke the news about Mark from TERRORTOWN near TOLEDO, OHIO landing a 2nd gig with ROB ZOMBIE, who has two haunts this year in Phoenix and Chicago. AWESOME, MARK!

The OTHER big news to break now is about the haunt industry "new kid on the block," Austin D. who did an amazing amount of research, development, and procurement last year.

We knew he was going to open 3 haunts, but we had no idea they would ALL be at the same location in WIXOM! It's got a cool name too, DARK LEGACY...check it out here: www.MichigansBestHaunt.com

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 WEDNESDAY 3 PM - HAUNTED HOCUS POCUS

Did you know the WORLD'S LARGEST MAGIC COMPANY is in MICHIGAN? Abbott's Magic in Colon, Michigan has been supplying the industry for many years, and has an annual Magic Convention in October that draws people from the entire world!

Magic and haunting can make a fabulous pairing, as evidenced by our pick last year for the MOST AMAZING HAUNT which was SLAUGHTERHOUSE in FOWLERVILLE.

Anyway, we receive email newsletters from Abbott's Magic and just spotted this book of possible interest to some of you: www.abbottmagic.com/Osborne-Haunted-Illusions-POhauntibk.ht m

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 SATURDAY 9 PM - I CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES...

What if we told you there was a haunt that in its recent past had a line waiting to get in LITERALLY OVER A MILE LONG?

Welcome to 7 FLOORS OF HELL in CLEVELAND, OHIO...except it's not in Cleveland now...the NEW CITY is MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO and the new name is WORLD OF NIGHTMARES.

With a whooping TEN haunts in ONE location, they can now make the claim of being THE LARGEST HAUNTED EVENT IN THE WORLD!  www.7FloorsOfHell.com

OK, we realize this is probably too far for most DETROIT HAUNTERS to go.

BUT there's got to be some serious die-hards out there that will take the bull by the horns, and fire up the GPS for a road trip to be NEVER FORGOTTEN! 

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 SATURDAY 7 PM - REFRIGERATE BEFORE USING FOR BEST RESULTS!

Unbelievable.

That crispity-crunchy snap...the ultra-juicy deliciousness of the incredible HONEYCRISP apples... GOES THRU THE ROOF if you pop 'em in the fridge BEFORE serving...just sayin'...stay tuned for THE BIG ONE...you WON'T BELIEVE IT...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 SATURDAY 1 PM - YELLOW RASPBERRIES ON TURKEY HILL

So a friend just stopped by, and she's all like "THE HONEYCRISPS ARE IN, THE HONEYCRISPS ARE IN...AND THEY HAVE YELLOW RASPBERRIES!!"

Huh? I didn't have my coffee yet...slow down junior...stop jumping around and have a seat...what's up?

Turns out that FOX NEWS just did special reports today from ERWIN'S ORCHARDS in SOUTH LYON where the fun has already begun!

And even better, tomorrow is CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY at ERWIN'S which is custom made for the whole family IN SPADES!

BOGO specials include the fabulous MR. BEE'S BIG 3D ADVENTURE, an educational romp disguised as a dazzling display of blacklight art at its' best. This display has THRILLED THOUSANDS of local school children!

On the big picture side, this is a perfect example of something we touched on earlier: A haunt that goes away, sometimes just a hiatus, and then ROARS BACK BIGGER AND BADDER.

Trust us. ERWIN'S NAILED IT. www.erwinorchards.com

Hmmm...I wonder what some of that vanilla ice cream in the freezer would taste like with some YELLOW RASPBERRIES ON TOP? I didn't know they even had YELLOW RASPBERRIES!

Oh yeah...there is just one more little issue to discuss...or rather GIANT issue...actually it's more like THE WORLD'S LARGEST...but the waffles are calling...tune in again later...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY 5 PM - MASHED POTATOES & GRAVY

Some things just naturally go together, whether it's on your dinner plate or at your friendly, local neighborhood haunted house.

"SLAM IN THE BACK OF MY DRA-GULA...DO IT BABY, DO IT BABY..."

Do these lyrics sound familiar?

ROB ZOMBIE music and haunted houses are no strangers to each other, so it came as no surprise when Zombie himself started creating his own haunted houses to complete the circle of influence.

What did come as a big surprise last year was when Mark, the creator of TERRORTOWN in MAUMEE, OHIO left his haunt after the first week of operation to join Rob Zombie in Los Angeles to help him create his latest haunt there in California!

Not even his crew knew what was coming until the surprise announcement.

So how well did it go?

It was such a phenomenal success, this year Mark is involved in TWO ROB ZOMBIE HAUNTS for the 2014 season in PHOENIX and CHICAGO!

How's that for networking?!

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 FRIDAY 1 AM - THE LARGEST HAUNTED EVENT IN THE WORLD!!!

We made contact with someone last year who's getting ready to TAKE THE HAUNT WORLD BY STORM with an unprecedented TEN haunts at ONE location! We're talking about a building that's 250,000 SQUARE FEET.

THAT'S CRAZY!

OK, so we saw like SIX haunts all together at GHOSTLY MANOR in SANDUSKY, OHIO before and that was totally off-the-hook...but ten haunts all combined to form the LARGEST HAUNTED EVENT IN THE WORLD??!!

We were sworn to secrecy, but the cat is jumping out of the bag this coming Saturday when full details will be revealed! (And we have tentative plans to go to this behemoth on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014)

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 THURSDAY 2 PM - MORE GREAT HAUNTS OPENING TOMORROW!

You can get a jump-start on the 2014 haunt season, as JACKSON'S UNDERWORLD in JACKSON opens tomorrow.

If you have not experienced this haunt, you're missing out! The building itself is super creepy, and used to be a factory for tractor seats and parts and then later a furniture factory and finally a department store before it closed for conventional purposes. IT'S WAY COOL!  www.JxUnderworld.com

Also opening tomorrow are two eastside faves, SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK and HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR, both in LENOX TWP.

These are both outdoor/indoor haunts, and the weather is looking like it should be perfect for them! www.ScareFestScreamPark.com www.HauntedFarmOfTerror.com

And if you're up for a road trip, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND SCREAM PARK in NILES. www.haunted.org

For the list of haunts opening tomorrow, click on "What's Next."

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 THURSDAY 11 AM - A LEGEND RETURNS TO THE BIG HOUSE

Just poking around, and we see that the HOUSE OF NIGHTMARES that blew us away long ago in the parking lot of a church in Warren is back for 2014!

Except this time, it's in 3D and even better yet, it's piggy-backed on the always amazing, ultra-detailed REALM OF DARKNESS in PONTIAC. We can't wait! www.TheRealmOfDarkness.com

Last year, THE REALM OF DARKNESS won several ZIOPTIS AWARDS including the much-coveted SCARIEST HAUNT OF THE YEAR AWARD by edging out THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS by just one GOTCHA! moment. (See Awards - current)

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 THURSDAY 10:30 AM - EUREKA! IT'S A SIGN OF THE TIMES...

So I was just talking to a friend from Taylor, and she just saw a SEMTA BUS travelling on Eureka with a giant ad on in for EREBUS...good news travels quickly!

Last year, EREBUS won several ZIOPTIS AWARDS including BEST LIGHTING. (See Awards - current) www.HauntedPontiac.com

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 THURSDAY 10 AM - CASTLE IN THE CORN!

We just saw the picture of the maze at BESTMAZE in WILLIAMSTON for 2014 - it's a giant castle, complete with a dragon and a super-sized sword! AND THEY OPEN TOMORROW - here's your chance to get a jump-start on the haunt season at a haunt so cool their customers insisted they should change their name to BESTMAZE! (originally under a different name)

It's NOT just a maze though - several other attractions here like the TRAIL OF TERROR make this a worthy destination from Detroit! www.bestmaze.com

SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 THURSDAY - THE MOST INSANE HAUNT EVER...AMUSEMENT OR ABSURDITY?

OK, so last year we told you about a haunt so extreme it's been compared to Guantanamo Bay because "water-boarding" is just one of many things you are subjected to there.

But is that even entertainment?

Here's a review we spotted about the haunt in question, BLACKOUT HAUNTED HOUSE in NEW YORK CITY: www.cracked.com/blog/7-insane-moments-in-worlds-most-hardc ore-haunted-house/#ixzz3CQPKI4Z5

Honestly though, after reading this review, and having talked personally to someone who went there, this haunt PALES in comparison to the life-altering experiences we had at the legendary DEMONIC DEMONS in Detroit! (See Wayne Cty cities A thru S)

AUGUST 28, 2014 THURSDAY - ROUND, ROUND, GET AROUND, THEY GET AROUND...

Watching the Channel 4 news (WDIV) a few days ago, and they showed a giant tree in Wayne that crushed a van...but on the back window of the vehicle was a cool looking decal that said "DARKSYDE ACRES HAUNTED ATTRACTION"!

We've seen this same decal over and over in the Detroit area, and that brings to light the issue in the Aug. 24th entry of driving out of Southeast Michigan to get to a great haunt.

Yes, DARKSYDE ACRES in JONESVILLE is off the beaten path for most Michigan haunters. But it too is a way cool haunt, with some lofty goals that may seem incredible. If you don't dream big, you're defeated before you even start!

Last month, we mentioned an EXCELLENT INTERVIEW with the creator of DARKSYDE ACRES in HORRORLUST which does haunted house ratings and reviews. If you missed it, click here: www.horrorlust.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/dark-magnetism-part- 2-rob-johnson-darksyde-acres

AUGUST 24, 2014 SATURDAY - YOU MIGHT HAVE TO BE CRAZY, BUT...

But most of you reading this are anyway! So here goes:

How far would you drive to get to a haunt?

If you're in Southeast Michigan, THE WORLD CAPITAL OF HAUNTED HOUSES, you only have to drive about 10-15 minutes to reach one.

But would you drive OVER TWO HOURS...or maybe even THREE...just to go to a killer haunt? We log thousands of miles every year haunting, so it doesn't seem like that big of a deal to us...but of course everybody has a different situation and priorities.

That said, we have TWO KILLER SUGGESTIONS for haunts under-the-radar of Detroit that will TOTALLY FLOOR YOU!

First up, it's THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS. We went here for the first time after a Detroit area haunt operator told us it's the most awesome haunt he ever saw in Michigan!!! (See Reviews in various years)

Now rewind to last year when we were at THE HAUNT in GRAND RAPIDS. The main dude there asked if we had checked out SCREAM PARK in NILES, MICHIGAN?

Turns out actors go back and forth between these two haunts every year, so we figured we just HAD to see what's going on there...and WOWSER!!! (See Reviews 2013_B) 

AUGUST 21, 2014 THURSDAY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS, BUT...

OK, real quick: Name two Mega Haunts.

If you're a Detroit-area haunter, you probably said EREBUS and REALM OF DARKNESS both of which are in Pontiac. No surprise there.

OK, now again real quick: Name two Mega Haunts that send about SEVENTY ACTORS to each other's haunt every year in a giant friendly gesture?

Tune in this coming Saturday for the answer, and a golden invitation to some haunting excellence that's TOTALLY OFF-THE-HOOK!

AUGUST 2, 2014 SATURDAY - TWO MORE FOR THE ROAD...

The DEARBORN HOMECOMING FESTIVAL is this weekend, with FIREWORKS on Saturday (tonight) and Sunday at Ford Field in Dearborn.

Country crooner KELLIE PICKLER takes the Main Stage tonight from 8:30 - 10:00 PM, and then it's one of the BIGGEST FIREWORKS DISPLAYS YOU'LL EVER SEE! Full details here: www.cityofdearborn.org/homecoming

JULY 22, 2014 TUESDAY - R.I.P. ADAM LADD

We are sad to hear of the recent untimely passing of a much respected member of the haunt community, Adam Ladd of LADD'S EVIL ACRES in HILLSDALE.

We didn't personally know Adam, but Rob Johnson of DarkSyde Acres did and was actually close friends with him. We do know Rob however, and he is ONE CLASS ACT...TOTALLY!

DarkSyde Acres in Jonesville, Michigan is a little off the beaten path for most Detroit-area haunters we know. But they put on a GREAT SHOW, and have some incredibly lofty goals. One of them...and we truly believe they can do it...is to become THE LARGEST HAUNTED ATTRACTION IN THE WORLD!!!

There's an excellent interview with Rob on HorrorLust, that gives all sorts of fascinating insight into the inner workings of the haunt industry. Check it out here: www.horrorlust.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/dark-magnetism-part- 2-rob-johnson-darksyde-acres

JULY 17, 2014 THURSDAY - WONDERING & REMINISCING OUT LOUD AGAIN...

Nothing lasts forever.

But then again, some things that go away might come back too...and that includes major haunts that unexpectedly shuttered like Haunted Hill Acres in Belleville and The Haunting in Adrian.

Haunted Hill Acres was in production of a major motion picture, which played upon Indian burial ground legends on their actual property! We saw the promo screener for it, and it looked great.

But then they went missing...we think the movie project proved overwhelming and ran over budget.

We have SUCH wonderful memories of Haunted Hill Acres! First was an excellent magic show, which took place in a makeshift auditorium made from a garage.

Their hayride staged some convincing, ultra-realistic grandiose stunts we've never seen anywhere else and they had a "behind the scenes" educational haunt for really young kids.

The garage theater later moved outdoors, and stories flew fast from live and automated actors. And their old analog electronic equipment room in the main haunt was TO DIE FOR!

So will HAUNTED HILL ACRES be back??? We sure hope so!

Anything is possible, but it looks like THE HAUNTING in ADRIAN is a goner after a whopping 18 seasons that created much mental confusion on the grandest order! There were large scale magic shows, and later up close magic shows with small scale physics defying blow-your-mind illusions by a true Master Magician named Stuart MacDonald.

He also pioneered the use of GIANT SCALE INSTANT ROOM CONVERSIONS that were the talk of the industry, as well as the ultra mind-bending repeating room that you COULD NOT ESCAPE. No other haunt we know of has ever created SO MANY TRUE HEAD SCRATCHING MOMENTS.

Creator Stuart MacDonald took his talents to Raleigh, NC in 2012 where he works in TV production and also appears on-air including a feature about local events on Raleigh-Durham station WLFL. What a unique combination of talents he brings to the table there...I'll bet the brass there LOVES HIM!

And Stuart was ALWAYS such a genuinely nice guy, who paid all his actors promptly and cross-promoted other haunts.

We really should not be surprised that Stuart split the scene...BIG PEOPLE MAKE BIG MOVES and are not afraid to tackle new challenges head on in the never ending quest to become all we can be!

Coming soon: 2 MAJOR HAUNTS in MICHIGAN you probably have NOT gone to that are GUARANTEED TO BLOW YOUR MIND.

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