Get your spook on at Frightville

This year’s edition of Frightville IX will have a more homey feel. The annual haunted house held in the basement of Oak Harbor’s Roller Barn has been remade. It’s now based on a family’s home, complete with a kitchen, bedrooms and a library.

By Nathan Whalen • October 20, 2009 2:23 pm
Duncan Chalfant works amidst skulls that line some of the hallways of Frightville
Duncan Chalfant works amidst skulls that line some of the hallways of Frightville

This year’s edition of Frightville IX will have a more homey feel.

The annual haunted house held in the basement of Oak Harbor’s Roller Barn has been remade. It’s now based on a family’s home, complete with a kitchen, bedrooms and a library.

“We’ve actually redone over half of it,” said Duncan Chalfant, one of the organizers for Frightville.

With its grand opening Friday night, Frightville IX is sure to provide costume-clad visitors with an evening of screams and thrills in the dark nights leading up to Halloween.

Frightville, which is in its ninth year, will have surprises in every nook and cranny as people twist and turn through the various rooms, through a forest and cemetery. Of course what haunted house would be complete without a dungeon, cobwebs and skulls — lots and lots of skulls.

Volunteers are spending the days leading up to the grand opening putting the finishing touches on the revamped haunted house. Walls are being painted, volunteers are checking to make sure the lights work and each room is functioning properly. Several Boys and Girls Club members were kept busy decorating the entry way leading into the house of horrors.

Chalfant said there has been a hardcore group of about six people who’ve been working since April to change the haunted house, and about 45 others who’ve chipped in.

In addition, it takes several volunteers to operate the house each evening. Chalfant said organizers are still looking for help until Frightville wraps up Halloween night. To get involved working at the haunted house, call 240-9273, or 969-1773.

Frightville proceeds benefits the Oak Harbor Boys and Girls Club. Last year, the fund raiser collected about $7,000 for club programs.

The haunted house opens Saturday, Oct. 23, going from 7 to 11 p.m., and continues again Saturday with a “lights on” matinee from noon to 2 p.m. and the evening performance again from 7 to 11 p.m.

The “lights on” matinee will show the haunted house with the room lights illuminated for children who may find the haunted house a little too scary. That way they know there’s ultimately nothing to fear.

Frightville continues during Halloween week. On Oct. 28 and hours are 6 to 9 p.m. ; Oct. 30 from 7 to 11 p.m.; and on Oct. 31, it’s open from 3 to 5 p.m. with the “lights on” matinee and again from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Cost for the haunted house on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, and Oct. 28 to Oct. 30 is $8 for an adult and $5 for children under 12. The “lights on” matinee is $3 per person.

Cost on Halloween night is $10 per person.