You will have the scariest night ever at Knott’s Scary Farm

By Jenny Álvarez

Photos and video Alfonso De Elías

For all my readers I’m not a big fan of horror and haunted attractions, but I have to say, that with the exception of only one other haunt, I would say that Knott’s was my favorite thus far. This year was surprising because the organizers decided to have only two shows: The Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira – she will headline her all new show Elvira’s Big Top, in the 1,800 seat Charles M. Schultz Theatre twice nightly for the entire run of Knott’s Scary Farm and The Hanging: Everything is Gruesome: a live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy.  Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year.  A real and creepy parody. However in my opinion, Elvira becomes the “Ring Mistress of the Park” dazzling audiences with music, madness and mayhem in her Sinister Circus of the Macabre, full of jokes. My favorite of both was Elvira because has performances by Brett Loudermilk, a sword swallower, and Bonnie Morgan, a contortionist, both of whom were really the highlights of the show.

Other of the best attractions for 2014 was the interactive Zombie war, where groups of guests will be armed with specially designed laser guns to fend off the zombie infestation or named Special Ops: Infected seamlessly integrates interactive gaming technology with an immersive mountainous landscape, delivering a breakthrough interactive haunted experience that is as terrifying as it is challenging.  Missions will take guests through a variety of wilderness terrains, including unpredictable barrel bridges across a rushing river, through dark caverns, and  mysterious backwoods.  Six acres of the beloved theme park is now home to mutinous, scream-inducing zombies, and the time has come for a harrowing Special Ops survival mission.

 I also have to remark El Dia De Los Muertos (created in 2013) some monsters do not hide, but stand there waiting for people in plain sight. Towards the end, it gets a little better with the Aztec-type skeletons coming at you this was really wonderful and people with Hispanic heritage will  appreciate a small tribute to this attraction. I liked how detailed some of their costumes were and make up as well.

Here are more details of the new attractions of this year:

Voodoo: Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes. Guests must choose their path from a number of foreboding choices, resulting in a different terrifying outcome with each journey into the swamp.

The Tooth Fairy: The joy of hiding a lost tooth under the pillow becomes a nightmare of pain and blood in this new maze that will leave teeth chattering.  This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry.  Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the massive tooth fairy, himself.  Say aahhh.

Trapped: Lock and Key: This year Trapped returns with more rooms, more intricate puzzles and a shocking finale more extreme than any experience ever.

I loved the fact that most of the actors still haunt in that area even though its deserted makes it even creepier so becomes this place in a magical experience.

More of the attractions

The Gunslinger’s Grave: Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township.

Black Magic The veil between the living and the dead is severed when Houdini’s ghost materializes during a séance and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes on his theater.

 Dominion of the Damned: The Blood Queen’s reign has ended, but the seductive vampires continue to lure unsuspecting guests into this gothic lair of terror.  Ancient vampire lore decrees there shall always be one to rule the damned… Long live the King!

 Forevermore: The twisted mind of Edgar Allen Poe comes alive as the “Forevermore Killer” works his way through one haunting tale after another.  All the victims unwittingly find themselves a part of “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” The Masque of Red Death” among other horrific stories.

 Pinocchio Unstrung: Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, and Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters.  The purpose of his killing spree – human flesh to cover his twisted wooden body.  Revenge comes with no strings attached.

Trick-Or-Treat: Trick or treat, will step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell.  Oh, she is home, but where?  You are not quite sure.  Don’t be afraid, her minions will guide you.

 Witch’s Keep: Many years ago, The Green Witch uncovered a wicked source of power in the depths of the Calico Mine, and now she’s hell-bent on using this mysterious energy to capture and corrupt all who dare enter.

Scare zones were fun with the occasional seasoned monster screaming and sliding by. The best part is watching people being chased by them. There were a lot of families with kids so while I wouldn’t recommend taking your kids here but in general I appreciate and love the effort put into it by the actors and organizers who do the event every year so made it more intense and definitely you will have a fun time!