Just when unsuspecting visitors to The Haunting at Shireman Homestead figure their jolting journey through the darkness is over, volunteer Andrea Short offers one big surprise farewell.
Remote-controlled flamethrowers lighting up the night.
“Usually, people will suddenly jump, scream, or hold on to each other,” said Short, one of the longtime volunteers and Halloween characters at the family-oriented attraction on Columbus’ west side.
The seasonal Shireman spine-chiller is just one among several mask-required and socially-distanced options open this weekend for one nearly last blast of fear factor — one is open next weekend — before the holiday becomes a ghostly, or maybe ghastly, memory. And it has been a hauntingly good season. Already, the nonprofit Haunting’s attendance of 4,000 people this month is by far a record in the attraction’s 10 years, according to organizer Cheryl Moore-Shireman.
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“I think a lot of that (attendance) is because people have been desperate to get out and enjoy themselves,” Moore-Shireman said.
So desperate, in fact, that Brett Hays, the founder of Seymour’s Fear Fair haunted house that he said attracts plenty of Bartholomew County customers, has a response for Bartholomew County coronavirus task force officials recommending that people skip these type of events.
“My response is that we are the absolute safest facility or building to visit in all of Jackson County,” Hays said, detailing strict mask, distancing and cleaning procedures that he filed with the Jackson County Health Department — plus the fact that people violating any health codes are turned away each night. “We always err on the side of caution.”
And even with the safeguards that have made wait times longer, people are coming, with an estimated attendance of 5,800 for October, Hays said.
Ceraland Park has seen record numbers — a record at least since 2005 among its current staff — for its Halloween offerings, said Corey Behymer, Ceraland’s assistant executive director.
For instance, more than 2,000 people have traveled just the park’s When Darkness Falls Haunted Trail, according to Behymer. Additionally, nearly 600 youngsters have visited Sammy’s Ghost House for children. And she figures overall attendance this weekend will be the biggest of the month, with trick or treating Saturday in the campground, which is currently sold out, a Saturday costume contest, a free Saturday movie “Hocus Pocus,” a hayride and more.
“Definitely, a lot of people are coming out,” Behymer said.
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Community events
- The Haunting, 7060 W. County Road 200N in Columbus: 4 to 6 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday are non-scary, child-friendly activities; 8 to 11 p.m. constitutes “scare time.” A range of Halloween-oriented offerings, from a descending, makeshift mine shaft to a headless horseman. Tickets: $5 for non-scary time; $15 for the scary portion. Information: Facebook page for Shireman Homestead or shiremanhomestead.com
- When Darkness Falls Haunted Trail, Ceraland Park, 3989 S. County Road 525E in Columbus, 8 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31. Also, the kid-friendly Sammy’s Ghost House from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Costume contest and more special events Saturday. Hay rides 6 to 8 p.m. today and Saturday. Information: ceraland.org.
- Fear Fair, 800A Avenue E at Freeman Field in Seymour. Today and Saturday and Nov. 6-7 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Organizers call their 50,000 square feet of creep “the most award-winning haunted house in Indiana.” Tickets: $25 to $35, available at fearfair.com/tickets
- Trick or Treat at The Crump, 425 Third St. in downtown Columbus, 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday under the marquee.
- Columbus downtown merchants distributing candy to youngsters from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday: Ramen Alley; Luciana’s; Taku; Yats; Lucabe Coffee; Savory Swine; Boutique Elise; Tri-State Artisans; Realty ONE Group Dream; White River Running Company; Hotel Indigo, Columbus Area Visitors Center; Bartholomew County Public Library; Sophia’s Bridal & Tuxedo; and Viewpoint Books.
Church events
- Flintwood Wesleyan Church, 5300 E. 25th St. in Columbus, drive-through candy and food in sealed bags, 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
- Petersville United Methodist Church, 2781 N. County Road 500E, Trunk or Treat with sealed bags of candy in Petersville, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
- NOW CANCELED: First Baptist Church, socially distanced Trunk or Treat at 3300 Fairlawn Drive in Columbus, 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
- 500 North Church, 500 N. Clay St. in Edinburgh, drive-through candy in sealed bags from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
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Columbus’ COVID-19 Community Task Force is urging residents to avoid Halloween activities posing a high or moderate risk of spreading COVID-19, as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state.
- For more information on what Halloween activities to avoid, visit covid19communitytaskforce.org/halloween-safety-avoid-these-high-risk-activities/.
- For more information on what Halloween activities pose less of a risk, visit covid19communitytaskforce.org/halloween-safety-ideas-for-safe-halloween-activities/.
- For a complete list of high and moderate risk activities, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween.
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