by Julie Weaver I don’t just like Halloween, Ilove Halloween. For a variety of reasons,
yes, but one being the fact that it’s the one day of the year that no one looks
at me side-
ways because of the way I dress – everyone looks like a freak. But
people, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend the last couple of years – you’re not
dressing up! I mean, really – my boyfriend and I were the only ones in
costume at the haunted house I went to last year. What is up with that? Have
you lost your creativity, your spontaneity, your childhood abandon? Well, if
you’re going to act like the walking dead, at least dress up like it. Besides,
don’t you realize that if you put on your spookiest “do” that you can scare all
those haunted house workers right back? It’s fun, believe me. Look, we’ve got
some great choices of haunted abodes this year; so now’s your chance. Get out
there and be scared and be scary! At least put on some grease paint,
please?!
CACTUS JACK’S TRAIL OF FRIGHT HAYRIDE, 13233 Hwy71 W., 8 mi.
from the “Y” at Oak Hill. The hayrides run October 20-22 & 27-31,
running continuously from dusk to 11pm. Rates are $6 per person ($5 per person
for groups of five or more). Call 263-2388 for more information.
GRUSEUM, Westgate Mall, W. Ben White &
S. Lamar.
Sponsored by the Austin Children’s museum, the Gruseum is a “not-too-scary
fun house” for kids ages three to eight. Gruseum goers will be able to stroll
down “Treat” street and tour zany houses. The end of the tour includes the “Fun
Room” where kids can make and take fun Halloween crafts, enjoy face painting,
and more. The fun house is open October 20-22 and 27-29. Hours are Fridays,
4-8pm; Saturdays, noon-8pm; and Sundays, noon-5pm. Cost is $3 per person.
Call 472-2499 for more information.
HAUNTED HAYRIDES, Rolling Oaks Mall, 1604 Nacogdoches, in San
Antonio. If you want to get out of town for the holiday, Haunted Hayrides
is a great annual stand-by. Beginning at dark, ghosts and goblins pop out at
hayriders at every turn, as well as plenty of other spooky surprises.
Reservations are necessary, and tickets are $9.95 for adults; $5.95 ages 5-12;
and free for ages 4 and under (snacks are included in the ticket price). Call
210/651-5666 for reservations.
NIGHTMARE FACTORY, 2101 W. Ben White. Back for yet another
year, NF is becoming an annual tradition here in Austin. Central Texas’ largest
haunted house, the factory features almost 6,000 square feet of dark mazes,
horrifying monsters, and cutting-edge special effects, all to the cataclysmic
background of a digitally mastered, custom soundtrack. Over a half-a-dozen new
scenes have been added since last year’s production, and they’ve even included
a gruesome graveyard using a collection of tombstones from the films Texas
Chainsaw Massacre and My Boyfriend’s Back. The house is open every
night, now through October 31, 7:30pm-midnight. Admission is $7 (Sundays are
family nights w/admission at $4). Discounts are at Half Price Books and
DoubleDave’s Pizza. Call 445-FEAR for more information. To get a sneak peak of
the house, check out NF’s Web Page at http://www.io.com/~nightime/
PIONEER FARM, 11418 Sprinkle Cut-Off Rd. A wonderful
Austin treat for the kids (and adults alike, for that matter), the farm will
present its annual holiday shenanigans for three nights only. Participants can
explore a dark haunted barn, jump on a hayride where you can see the spirits of
lost cowboys ascending from “boot hill,” and witness a driverless stagecoach
attempting to escape a band of ghost robbers. Scary stories and a mad scientist
show are also a highlight. A variety of snacks will be featured. Admission is
$4 adults, $2 children 3-12. All proceeds benefit ongoing projects at Pioneer
Farm, and with the latest cut-backs in city funding, they could really use our
support! Oct 27-28 & 31, dark-9:30pm. Call 837-1215 for more information.
SCREAM IN THE DARK, Ol’ Burnet Opry House, on the Square in
Burnet, TX, 512/756-2217. You’ll have to drive a bit, but this one sounds
worth it. With over 30 years of experience in the fine art of horror, creators
Robin & Helen Stevens have put the finishing touches on this special
haunted house and are ready for guests. The venue features 17 rooms of
interactive terror, including a forest of ghosts, a graveyard where nothing
stays buried, a morgue filled with bodies that won’t let you out, and
Earthquake Tunnel that spins you around, a spaceship filled with aliens, and
much more. The house runs October 21, 1-3pm & 6:30-9:30pm; Oct 22,
1-3pm; Oct 27-31, 6:30-9:30pm (on Oct 28 & 29, the house is also open
from 1-3pm). Tickets are $6 adults, $4 seniors and children under 12, with $2
discount coupons available at many Hill Country businesses in and around
Burnet. Call 512/756-2217 for more information.
WELLS BRANCH HOMESTEAD, 2106 Klattenhoff. The Homestead is
putting on a Halloween Haunted House and Trick or Treat Trail, and all are
invited. The event will be held Tue, October 31, from 5:30-8:30pm, so get the
kiddies dressed up early! No phone number was given, so just show up in your
finest spooky digs. n
This article appears in October 20 • 1995 and October 20 • 1995 (Cover).