Wandering zombies, a headless horseman, a demented clown and even crazed Confederate nurses are all in store for those brave enough to visit the third annual Clifton Haunted Park.
It will be held Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26, from 7-11 p.m. in the Town of Clifton's 8-Acre Park. Tickets are $8, adults, and $5, children 10 and under. (It's not recommended for young children).
"It's really cool," said event spokeswoman Taya Abbott. "There are people and monsters all throughout the woods. "We have people jumping out from behind trees and popping up from creeks to scare people."
The Haunted Park is a fund-raiser for the town and, last year, it brought it some $10,000. "It's one of the major sources of revenue," said Abbott. "We had about 1,500 visitors over the two nights, and we're expecting even more, this year."
Heading into town from the railroad tracks on Main Street, visitors will then pile into a haywagon taking them to the park — and then beware. That's where the ghoulies, goblins and creepy creatures are and, boy, are they scary.
Besides the Grim Reaper, Dracula and men with chain saws, Clifton's own Bunnyman will be on hand. According to legend, he hacked up Clifton construction sites in the early 1970s because he didn't like development. And whenever dating couples ventured close to these areas, he'd chase them away.
Another unique and not-to-be-missed attraction is Dead Man's Deli. But you won't find coldcuts or meatball subs here; instead, Tom McNamara, Bill Hummel, Keith Abbott and Dan Kelliher will be selling body parts. How's about a nice, fresh arm, ear, finger or leg?
There's also a witches den with a bonfire, a monsters graveyard, a vampire and his coffin and sinister-looking moss people who live under a bridge. And look out for The Frog (Jim Franca), who'll emerge from the swamp to scare people silly.
On Friday, Oct. 25, Robin Beard and Rick Dygve will be off-kilter, Civil War surgeons who wield a mean scalpel. And on Saturday, Oct. 26, Terese Colling, Kelly White, Kim Salana and Dennis Hottel will portray crazed Confederate nurses out for more than a pint of blood.
Mist, fog and eerie music will all add to the spooky ambiance. Said Abbott: "People don't go out in the woods at night, so going into eight acres of woods in pitch dark — with all these frightening things — is really going to scare them."
Just a short walk across the wooden bridge leading to the park, the creatures (town residents) lie in wait. Casey Donohoe is the headless horseman on horseback, and John Baber portrays Dracula.
Acting as ghouls and goblins will be: Lou Bonacich, Barbara Hitto, Mark Khosravi, Steve Goetzinger, Kevin Hitto, Mac Arnold, Bill Hollaway, Raymond Van Lienden, Lev Buller, Jolanda Janczewski, Linda Custis, Brandy Wicks, Jim Franca, Rick Peterson, Dave Thompson, Tom Peterson, Bray Wilson, Bill Curry, Megan Dygve, Royce Jarrendt, Chris Glidden, Jen Jackson and Debbie Taylor.
Margo Buckley is event chairman; Chris O'Donnell is in charge of special effects, and Diane Dygve is involved in all facets of the planning. "Margo works 12 months a year on it," said Taya Abbott. "She goes to different shows about haunted parks, talks to people and gets new ideas."
The Haunted Park committee begins meeting in August, plans the skits and who'll be in them, and then finds volunteers to help. "More than 100 people are involved," said Abbott. "They make costumes, find props, chop logs, write and perform in the skits and even direct traffic. John Eubank, Steve Howell, Tom Fannon and Randy Thompson provide the electricity, sound, lights, scary music and special effects. They're the unsung heroes; without them, nothing could happen."
Town residents will even offer refreshments to all the brave visitors. Said Abbott: "It's a fun thing to do on an autumn night, and it's nice to see the town come together." If it rains, call 703-830-0976 before coming.