DANBURY – A hauntingly good time begins tonight as the Forest of Fear comes to life behind Saint Gregory the Great Church.
This is the fifth year the quarter-mile wooded trail behind the Great Plain Road parish is transformed by terrifyingly good haunts and gruesome scenes in the spirit of Halloween.
“We’ve made changes in many areas to make them better,” said Gene McNamara who along with Pastor Fr. Michael Dunn, Bob Novella and Dave Knight are the main masterminds behind the ghoulish creations designed to scare those who dare to enter the attraction, which has previously been rated the best haunt in the area by i95 radio station.
“Every time we think we’re not going to outdo ourselves, it gets better,” Fr. Dunn said.
This year, pumpkins are playing a prominent part in the sinister festivities with a new creepy feature.
“Pumpkins aren’t supposed to be scary but ours are,” Fr. Dunn said, adding that students from Saint Gregory the Great School helped carve some of the dozens of pumpkins that are a part of the attraction.
The team prides themselves on changing or updating the attractions every year so there are new surprises for anyone who attends annually.
In fact, the first one-thousand people to attend will receive a free Forest of Fear wristband which has become somewhat of a collector’s item with many people wearing all the different colored bands they have received over the years to the event.
The Forest of Fear is full of scenes that can trick the senses with smells, startling sounds and reality-bending illusions.
In addition to the hi-tech haunt using sophisticated technology to trigger the unexpected for unsuspecting guests, there is also the creativity of creepy character actors that are superb at eliciting shrieks and screams from those who choose to explore the Forest of Fear where a haunted cemetery, disturbing hospital and a creaky cabin in the woods awaits.
Every year the attraction has gotten better and it has become the major fundraiser for the year, Fr. Dunn said.
Before the sun goes down, there is a special, “not-so-scary hour,” allowing children, often dressed as little princesses, action heroes and monsters, to experience the Forest of Fear with friendly and welcoming ghouls and goblins.
There are about 100 volunteers every night that ensure things run smoothly and everyone has a spooky and safe experience.
It takes about a half an hour for guests to go through the entire attraction.
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The Forest of Fear will be open from 5:30-9pm on both Friday and Saturday nights on the weekends of Oct. 13/14, 20/21, 27/28.
The not-so-scary children’s hour starts at 5:30 p.m.
Rain dates will be the Sundays of Oct. 15th, 22nd and 29th at the same times.
Admission is $25 per person.
The not-so-scary hour is $20 per person.
Tickets can only be purchased on site on the nights of the event.
