ELYSBURG - As the saying goes throughout the area, a Halloween without the Elysburg Haunted House is like a Christmas without Santa Claus.
It's an annual tradition for many. Cameron Gregor, of Bloomsburg, first visited the haunted house for her birthday last year and plans to continue the tradition. She and her friends, Kayleigh LeVan, Karisa Sosnoski, Brittany Shaffer, Shannon Laubach and Sophia Birrane, seemed like a fun group, so I decided to experience the house with them.
The long line before entering the grounds is anything but boring. Volunteers from Elysburg Fire Company and EMT services are selling hot dogs, soup and hot chocolate. The Masons have a cider stand, and there's Gordy's french fries, too. Huge speakers entertain with all kinds of music. And, oh yes, don't forget the traditional chainsaw-toting ghouls.
Before long, we were entering the second stage, the path leading to the witch's house. The entrance witch offers strange and unusual advice to make sure visitors survive the scary experience.
We walked up a few steps into a small building. The Black Hole is back! Having been through it last year, I was ready for it - or so I thought. It's an amazing optical illusion that defies logic. I did shut my eyes once, but I swear the building was still moving, so it's best to just keep them open and enjoy the "ride."
A long, dark wooded path was next. Monsters, creepy clowns and ghouls of all sizes terrorized as we tip-toed, walked and sometimes ran along the path, not knowing what was real and what was a living creature. Screams were heard all around, many coming from me.
We came to another building, and it was then I realized we hadn't even entered the haunted house yet. Small groups, one at a time, entered. Down into the basement, up the stairs, back down again. The monsters came out of nowhere. Sometimes the monster was right in front of us, looking like a paper mache face, and then - more screams!
Finally exiting this house of screams, we were back on an outdoor path. There I saw a sight I'd rather not mention, not only because I don't want to give anything away, but because I don't want to conjure up any nightmares for myself. We continued on the path to the exit. The ghouls were very well hidden. They were high. They were low. They were trees!
The effects, the monsters and some new animatronics all added up to a frighteningly fun time.
Although I did scream a little - maybe more than a little - it was fun. Quite often, my new friends and I found ourselves screaming and laughing at the same time.
Would I go again? Just try and stop me! I'll be there this weekend, and maybe again the weekend after that. Besides being a fun time, it's the main fundraiser for the Elysburg and Ralpho fire departments. Volunteers put an incredible amount of time and work into the haunted house every year. They deserve a round of applause, as well as the community's support.
Only two more weekends are left to visit the haunted house at the Elysburg Gun Club - today and next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29, from 7 p.m. until the last visitor runs out screaming.