2011 Haunted Attractions near Wise County (10/17/2011)

 BACKWOODS HAUNTED HOUSE


Backwoods Haunted House official website including webstore.
BackWoods Haunted House on Facebook

A video I threw together to document my trip through down in the Backwoods.

This is a MUST see for any Haunted Attraction fan. One of the best haunted houses you will find in the local area. Below you will find the official 2011 release:
Welcome to BACKWOODS HAUNTED HOUSE.....
DATES: SEPT- 29 Oct-1 7-8 14-15 21-22 26-27-28-29-31
TIME: DARK TIL 11:00pm

This years theme is Hillbilly SLAUGHTERHOUSE you will be taken on a tour of Mamma Rott's Meats,though her home and slaughterhouse... and uncover dark TWISTED events that will have you running for your lives...
Just a small town haunted house bringing entertainment and fun to family's near and far.... come out this October and join the fun....in Dryden Virginia on the old woodway road.. We wish to welcome you to join in a night of fright and scare!!!!
DIRECTIONS
From Pennington Gap, take 421 to woodway. turn LEFT
at B.P Gas station. travel 3.7 miles on 642. Turn RIGHT at Freeman Hollow Rd. Go to 3rd house on the RIGHT on HILL
From Big Stone Gap, Go east on highway 58 to Woodway exit travel 3.5 miles on 642 turn LEFT on Freeman Hollow rd. Follow signs. You cant miss it!!!!
RULES RULES RULES!!!!!!!! PLEASE READ BEFOR GOING
The following are the Rules of the Haunted House :
A maximum of 6 persons per group will be allowed in at a time.
Please do not touch any props or actors as they will not touch you.
The wandering souls of Backwoods have no desire to come in close contact with you unless allowed to brutally maim and torture you. Please do not attempt to touch or verbally harass any of the undead that you encounter along your journey through pure HECK on the backwoods grounds.We have young and old and they dont need cussed at lets all be adults and have a good time
NO smoking or open flames of any kind.
NO alcohol, firearms, or weapons of any kind.
NO food or beverages.
NO flashlights or cameras.
BE SCARED BUT BE SAFE!!!
Anyone who gets caught removing or damaging props or behaving in an unsafe manner OR breaking any of the rules will be removed immediately from the Haunted House and be subject to arrest.
HEALTH WARNING!!!
Fog, strobe lights, loud noises, and sudden scares are used inside. If you are sensitive to distorting lights or have a medical condition that increases health risks such as: Stroke, Claustrophobia or a Heart Condition we recommend you do NOT enter!
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!

You can access the wicKED review HERE.

This is how they ranKED :


ATMOSPHERE

From the drive to the haunt, to the minute you run screaming for your life, this place drips scary atmosphere. Waiting in line can even be a harrowing experience as the evil within tries to make you uncomfortable outside.
COSTUME

Costumes are good. Masks are great. I saw a few street clothes flubs but they were well hidden and they worked in the theme of the haunt.
SOUND EFFECTS

The recordings were specialized to the room but the sound effects naturally made by the actors and the environment were much better.
SET DESIGN

Some of the best around. Some of the constructions are up there with the pro circuit.
ORIGINALITY

What could be more original than a backwoods barn and slaughter house run by a family of insane monsters? As Haunted houses go, that is a great theme for this area. If you are a returning fan of Backwoods, then you may have seen a few repeats from years past, but it is always fresh and reworked.
SHOWMANSHIP/ACTING

The haunt group made up characters then breathed life (undeath?) into them. Once they started, they stayed in there.
FEAR FACTOR

As I have said, you tend to start feeling the scare before you even get close. They do a great job keeping you on your toes and dreading the trip in. Once the terror starts, it doesnt stop till you are running for your vehicle (sometimes it doesn't stop there. Make sure you look over your shoulder on the dark walk back to you car).
REVISIT RATING

The only reason I rate this a 4 is due to the long wait. This may turn some people off for a second round, but if you are a true fan of being scared out of your wits, you will come back 3 or 4 times a season. They keep changing things up so it's like a different haunt every time.

That gives the Backwoods Haunted House of 2011 a wicKED ranking of 4.25 out of 5 Grimaces!



MECC HAUNTED FOREST




A quick video to document the wicKED tour of the Forest.

   The terror begins Friday, October 7th, and is open Friday's and Saturday's from 7pm-11pm through the end of October. Admission is $5.00 per victim. 
   Our resident Graveyard Undertaker "Dr. Cadaver" assures me that there will be the return of several past favorite Ghouls and Psycho Killer Clowns as well as some new fright filled scenes with Zombies and a werewolf on the prowl. You can also expect to encounter a few "insane" residents and other creatures along your foggy torch lit journey as well.   Careful in the graveyard though," Dr. Cadaver" has the Grim Reaper searching for a few more souls. It would be a "grave" mistake to get lost there!
   The Haunted Forest isn't like any other haunted house because it takes place in a REAL forest- with all the creepy, natural ambiance to go with it. There aren't any walls to protect you from the horrors that lurk in the trees, and no roof to keep out the howling October winds. 


You can access the wicKED review HERE


This is how they ranKED:


ATMOSPHERE
From natures own creepy setting to the moaning and screaming drifting down from the paths beyond. It was great!
COSTUME
Always great costumes, makeup and masks from this group.
SOUND EFFECTS
The sound effects were really good while waiting in line. With the exception of the mutant rat, they were a bit generic through the rest of the forest.
SET DESIGN
Some of the best sets and decorations around. This year, there were a few static props and scarecrows that looked very fake and almost childlike in construction. Despite those, amazing detail and gruesome decorations and creations abound.
ORIGINALITY
Some new things but many of the areas have been around a for a few years like the grave yard and the clowns. I really hope this is the last year of the animatronic story teller at the beginning of the haunt.
SHOWMANSHIP/ACTING
This group is good at getting in character and staying there till you are chased out! Good character builds and great acting on the players parts.
FEAR FACTOR
Once the action started , it did not let up. They did a great job of keeping you on your toes. Lots of jumping out of shadows and from behind things. This group just needs to work on timing and ensuring the whole group gets a scare (or smaller groups).
REVISIT RATING
Once you have been through it, you have been through it. It does warrant a second visit in the season. Maybe with a different group of friends to show them the premier local Haunt.
That gives the MECC HAUNTED FOREST of 2011 a wicKED ranking of 4 out of 5 Grimaces!


A HAUNTING ON WOOD AVENUE






   Located on Wood Ave in Big Stone Gap, Just down from Ball's TV in the Old Westmoreland Building. This is one of the first groups I did a home town haunt with. Hope some of the old group is still there. It's in a great location with the creepy old building and all plus it is for a GREAT cause. This is one I will absolutly be hitting several times! wicKEDly ranKED review coming soon!
   This is the only information they had available on their website as of now:
Location: Inside the Old Westmoreland Building
Admission: $5.00 per entry or $20 unlimited entries all night
Schedule: Every Friday and Saturday in October as well as everyday the week of Halloween.
Caution:This will be a dark confusing enviroment with strobe lights in use!

You can access the wicKED review HERE.

This is how they ranKED :

ATMOSPHERE

From the Skeletal Pirate pumping up the crowd to the forboding structure the haunt is housed in. There is a good atmosphere about this place.
COSTUME

Great masks and costumes were present all through. There may have been a hick up here or there from a replacement person, but there was some good ones.Most notable are the Skele Pirate, The Executioner, The ghost in the first room and the "Thing" at the end.
SOUND EFFECTS

Each room had it's own unique track and the props had highly realistic effects to suit them.
SET DESIGN

 Some of the rooms were a little drab and consisted of only the ever present black plastic. On the other hand, some of the rooms were over the top. Wish the awesome decor was a little more consistent throughout. Some of the best designed rooms were Electric Chair, maze, swamp/graveyard and the exit area.
ORIGINALITY

When I think original, I mean in regards to this areas local haunts of the past. While there are things in the haunt that have been done in the past, this group really put an original spin on much of it. Rooms of note : Movie room, Hanging room, Funeral Parlor, Maze.
SHOWMANSHIP/ACTING

This group has lots of experience, and lots of heart. While they were missing a few key personalities the night we went though, the desire to give everybody a good scare is very apparent!
FEAR FACTOR

From the moment you step in line till the last few seconds of being chased by a chainsaw maniac, this place delivers consistent fright. There are lots of little dark places to hide inside and the haunters make great use of them to spring out on unsuspecting victims.
REVISIT RATING

This haunt keeps evolving and changing to meet the fear needs of the public. They have changed things around every week and will continue to do so. This is the kind of haunt you can visit every weekend and find something new and different. Visit often! I will.

This gives A Haunting on Wood Avenue of 2011 a solid wicKED ranking of 4 out of 5 Grimaces!




THE HAUNTED PARK formerly THE CRYPT 




   Located at Bullitt Park in down town Big Stone Gap, Va.. Looks like a change up in the plans this year for Big Stone Gap Park and Recreation. It seems they will be haunting the entire park rather than just the Crypt/bleacher area. Attempts to reach somebody about information has ended up at a dead end.

   I truly hate to be negative but with price of entry and the dismal attempt in previous years at haunting a large outdoor area, I am not expecting much. For the last two years, they have provided the area with a great haunted attraction. I hope that trend continues. I will defiantly be going by this one and wicKEDly ranking them accordingly.


You can access the wicKED review HERE.

This is how they ranKED :


ATMOSPHERE

The outside area was not very strong on the atmosphere. Most of the score comes from the stone, dungeon like, bleacher area. It is a perfect place for a haunting.
COSTUME

There were some good masks and a few good costumes, but for the most part it was just "guys in masks".
SOUND EFFECTS

Only one room had sound effects and that was a clown room "I think" playing a carnival type song. Not sure if they were having tech issues or that was the plan.
SET DESIGN

The dungeon like area under the bleachers was a scary place to behold. The body parts, blood, and lighting were pretty good. If only the entire haunt had this type of attention to detail.
ORIGINALITY

The lack of story line hurts. I think they had some good concepts but very little follow through. It COULD have been original if I knew what was going on. Chainsaws, clown room, bloody mutilated body parts.
SHOWMANSHIP/ACTING

The guy at the beginning really tried. The guide was super nice, and the chainsaw freaks were really into it, but the roaring and growling just fell short for the rest.
FEAR FACTOR

There was some jumps and scares. Mostly from being caught off guard. There were some parts that truly had potential, but the fast pace of the tour did not allow you to enjoy them.
REVISIT RATING

In my case, this is a once and done attraction. It may be worth a second visit just to slow it down and see what all we missed in the "run" through. The cheap price, and the free movie also make this one a more attractive revisit.

This gives The Haunted Park of 2011 a wicKED ranking of 2.5 out of 5 Grimaces!



THE HAUNTED APPALACHIAN CAVERNS

Located at 420 Cave Hill Road Blountville, TN 37617. The new website contained this tidbit of knowledge for 2011:

Haunted Appalachian Caverns has a long history of putting on a Halloween event, whether that be the real ghosts that lurk on the property even before the caverns were opened as an attraction, or the haunted cave put on every October. In the past we've done themed events like Pirates, our Silent Hill inspired : The Abyss , or the new CarnEvil Klowns / The FUNHOUSE !

This year the cavern itself will be hosting a GHOST TOUR and scary stories for all ages. Take a creepy trip underground !

 In the campground the CarnEvil Klowns have created their own attraction. THE FUNHOUSE ! 2600 square feet of grease-painted terror and fun ! There's always something new to see in The Funhouse..will it be you ?

   To be honest, I have not been back to The Haunted Appalachian Caverns since 2006. At the time, it was a great deal of walking with spooks few and far between. Hopefully it is a lot better this year! Still, you can't beat a haunted attraction INSIDE a cave!


NIGHTMARE ON STATE STREET





This haunted house, located at THE BRISTOL THEATER,  posted this information on their website :

Nightmare On State Street Haunted House This year will be bigger and better than ever! Come get your SCREAM on!
 When: Thursday's, October 20 & 27 from 7 to 10 p.m.Friday's & Saturday's, October 21, 22, 28 & 29, from 7 p.m. to Midnight!
 Where: Theatre Bristol, 512 State Street, Bristol, TN
Cost: $5 per victim!
Never been to this one. May have to swing by!

STICKLEY FARM CORN MAZE AND HAUNTED EVENT



Located at 531 Timber Mill private Drive, Bluff City, TN. I have never been to it, and this is another page that does not include any pics for the haunt portion of the maze. Here is a blurb from the site:

The Stickley Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch will pay tribute to locally grown produce with a maze covering a canvas of corn over 10 acres in size. Using the “Pick Tennessee Products” logo, the maze also incorporates the Stickley Farm name and logo. There’s also a smaller maze for children. Other attractions include hayrides, a swing set, play house, corn boxes, children’s games and concessions. The mazes and farm festivities open Sept. 17. The haunted maze is open every Friday and Saturday night starting Sept. 23. Admission to the regular maze is $8 for ages 12 and up, and $7 for children ages 6 through 11; children 5 and under are admitted free. Admission to the haunted maze is $10. Hours of operation are 6-9 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays; 6-11 p.m., Fridays; noon-11 p.m., Saturdays; and 1-6 p.m., Sundays

FRIGHTMARE MANOR


This one is located a bit out of the way for Wise County Residents, but if you happen to be heading down to Knoxville or Pigeon Forge, it may be worth a stop. You can find it located 7588 W. Andrew Johnson Highway, Talbot , TN. The website makes it look pretty good. Here is some info:

You have found Frightmare Manor - THE Money Back Haunt - and 4 Attraction Screampark. Frightmare Manor returns in 2011 to continue to expose the dark secrets hidden within this historic, blood-soaked property. Named the #1 Haunted Attraction by WBIR Ch. 10 Knoxville News in 2010, and with over $150,000 in terrifying improvements for 2011, Frightmare Manor is a nationally recognized haunted attraction, found on the outskirts of Knoxville, TN. Frightmare Manor features high tech animatronics, professional DMX special effects, and psychotic, demented souls determined to make you experience the TRUE TERROR of this property. Located on the abandoned Jeremiah Lexer plantation, Frightmare Manor is 4.5 acres, offers 3 independent, walk thru, Haunted Attractions on site, and features the Nationally Recognized Nightmare at Frightmare Challenge. If all 4 Attractions are successfully completed, you WILL get your money back. You’ve been warned – TRUE TERROR EXISTS HERE. Dare Yourself, Double Dare Your Friends…

Again, I have never been there, but it certainly sounds worth the drive. Especially to a real Halloween lover.

FENDER'S FARM INSANE INN AND HAUNTED MAZE


Fender's Farm Insane Inn and Haunted Maze

Located at 254 Highway 107, Jonesborough, TN. This one sounds pretty good as you get a twofer (two for one deal). They have an Insane Inn and a Haunted Corn Maze. Unfortunately there are no pictures of either on the website but there is this little flash movie they made that you can find HERE (warning it does not like Chrome so may have to load up the big blue E). Some info provided by the site :
Fenders Farm is an adventure for all ages, laughter by day, and screams by night. We have a 7 acre corn maze, and a 3 acre "Field of Screams." We also have pumpkins, mums, gourds, hay rides, and a cow train.

Hours of Ticket Sales:Mon - Thurs: 4:00pm-9:00pmFri: 4:00pm-10:00pm
Sat: 10:00am-10:00pmSun: 1:00pm-6:00pmHaunted Maze (Fri & Sat):Dark-10:00pm
Dates: September: 30 October: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 31
Admission: Haunted MazeInsane Inn: $10.00
WQUT Field of Screams:$10.00
Combo Ticket: $15.00
This one is lucky enough to have a fan testimony from Clint B:
Dude if you haven't been to Fenders farm/maze... it is a lot of fun, the insane inn more so than the maze but over all the combo is a lot of fun have been many years in a row now, prob not this year as I don't think scaring Amanda and having the baby early would be a good idea =) but you should check it out if you havent yet!
Thanks Buddy! I will be be going there for sure!


BECK MOUNTAIN HAUNTED MAZE, BARN, AND HAYRIDE





Located at 144 Web Hollow Loop, Elizabethton, TN. This attraction boasts 3 haunted events on the same grounds. Here is some info from the website :
BACK THIS YEAR BY POPULAR DEMAND...BIGGER AND SCARIER...THE HAUNTED BARN! 1400 SQUARE FEET OF PURE TERROR WITH THE THINGS YOU MOST FEAR!!!! WE DARE YOU TO TRY THIS ONE!!!!
WE TEAMED UP WITH A PROFESSIONAL MAGICIAN TO CREATE YOUR MOST DREADED FEARS THROUGH SOME AWESOME DISPLAYS OF ILLUSIONS AND MAGIC!

HAUNTED NIGHTS WILL BE...
FRI. SEPT. 30
SAT. OCT. 1
FRI. OCT.7
SAT. OCT.8
FRI. OCT. 14
SAT. OCT.15
FRI. OCT. 21
SAT. OCT. 22
FRI. OCT. 28
SAT. OCT. 29
SUN. OCT. 30
MON. OCT. 31st HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
2011 HAUNTED SEASON PRICES:
HAUNTED MAZE........$9.00
HAUNTED BARN........$9.00
HAUNTED HAYRIDE....$ 5.00
OR DO ALL 3...
COMBO PACKAGE.......$20.00 each person
COMBO PACKAGE MUST BE USED BY 1 PERSON & CAN NOT BE SPLIT OR USED BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE!!!!

ON HAUNTED NIGHTS- HAUNTING STARTS AT DARK AND CONTINUES TIL THE LAST VICTIM IS SERVED. NO TICKETS TO THE HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS WILL BE SOLD AFTER MIDNIGHT!
WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SOILED CLOTHING, UNDERWEAR, ETC! PLEASE USE THE RESTROOM BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY ATTRACTION!!!!
WE CAN'T WAIT TO SCARE YOU!

GOOD NIGHT...SWEET SCREAMS!!!!
With the warning about underwear, I wonder if there has been an issue in the past? This honestly sounds like a good one to try out.


THE HAUNTED AUCTION HOUSE



THE HAUNTED AUCTION HOUSE AND CORN MAZE



   Located at 4930 Bluff City Hwy,Bluff City TN, The Haunted Auction House is back again for 2011 and this year they have a haunted corn maze for added thrills. Here is the info from the website :


WE ARE OPEN AGAIN FOR THE 2011 HALLOWEEN SEASON

COME JOIN US FOR THE SCARE OF YOUR LIFE
BRING A FRIEND,,BRING MANY FRIENDS..
WHATEVER YOU DO...PLEASE DON'T BRAVE IT ALONE!!!

EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT
STARTING
OCTOBER 1st

ENDING
NOVEMBER 6th

DOORS OPEN @ 7;00pm
AND CLOSE WHEN THE LAST VICTIM IS SERVED

OPEN RAIN OR SHINE ALL SCENES ARE INDOORS
WITH INDOOR RESTROOMS AND WAITING
WE ARE ALSO HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

I have heard good things about this one. Hope it delivers this season!

NIGHTMARE ON U.S. 23


I saw this flyer on the window of the Dollar General in Big Stone Gap :


They have no web site with specific info but I did locate the exact location of this new haunt. You can find it at  25700 US Highway 23, Duffield Virginia . It is being hosted by the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department so another good cause. Go out and show your support for this new haunt!

BAYS MOUNTAIN HALLOWEEN HAUNT


BAYSMOUNTAIN.COM
October 28 & 29 from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy a moonlight barge ride, see the raptors at night, have a "howling' good time with the wolves and slithery snakes. Experience the thrill of the Haunted Forest (not recommended for children under 12) and see what ghostly creatures have inhabited the planetarium.
Programs every half hour!
Admittance is $5.00 per car/$20 per bus for Park Association members
and $10.00 per car/$30 per bus for all others.
No vehicles/visitors will be admitted after 10:00 p.m..
Unfortunately this one is only open 2 days at the end of the month. Not heard anything good or bad about this one but Bays Mountain is an awesome place to visit!




I will keep this page updated with directions, times, dates, prices, and detailed rankings as they come.


Come back to this page often! (Last updated 10/17/2011)