These pictures were taken during our "dry run" on Saturday, October 30. There are still a few finishing touches missing, but you'll get the general idea.
When visitors first arrive at the entrance to our driveway, they are "greeted" by a spooky voice emanating from this pumpkin and skeleton display. The voice is recorded and played on a boombox hidden behind the display.
On the opposite side of the driveway is the Sword in the Stone, a permanent fixture of the landscape. We embellish it a bit for the holiday.
The first tableau is "Don't Drink and Drive."
This is our junky old Ford, driven up onto the bank to look like it crashed. There is a strobe light and flicker flame under the hood, and a headless corpse behind the wheel. When fully decorated, he will have a can of beer in his hand and there will be empties strewn all around, and a sign saying "Don't Drink and Drive" held in his other hand.
Continuing past the truck is the "Kiddie Scare Area". This is where little kids who are too spooked by the Haunt will get their candy treat, while enjoying some mild scares.
Their own little cemetery.
There will also be a "Frankenstein" inflatable that's pretty cartoony.
Those who dare will now proceed to the Portal.
It's kind of hard to see because of the dark, but there is a portcullis in the opening of the portal.
Just to the left of the Portal is the Infinity Tunnel. It will give those waiting in line at the Portal something to look at.
Once through the Portal, the first effect is the Haunted Doghouse.
The chain is styrofoam, but the bone is real.
Across from the doghouse is the Haunted Mailbox. Behind the mailbox is the Witch and Cauldron.
Then you reach the cemetery.
Now it's time to come to the front door and get the candy treat. We haven't set up the front hall yet, so those pictures will have to wait until tomorrow.
After getting their candy, visitors will head down a different path away from the door until they trip the motion-sensor light to illuminate the big Bat.
This thing is enormous; it has a wingspan of about 5 feet.
Then visitors will encounter the Wretched Restroom.
All it needs is the odors, but I think we'll pass on being THAT realistic.
Now it's time for Trash Can Trauma.
When activated, the head pops up, the arm flies out, and a soundtrack plays "Heeheeheeheee....Gotcha!"
The last tableau is "Bob's Special Mulch Mix"
Not shown is the other part of this tableau: the tractor driven by a Bucky.
This is the last "attraction", so visitors usually breathe a sigh of relief that they are "home free" but that isn't true. After they walk away from this tableau, an actor springs out from a bush behind them and gives them a shake of the rattle can. Zing!
That's it for photos for now. Come back Monday for more pictures of the Big Night!