The Mahood family has been setting up haunted houses for six years and this year, according to Michelle Mahood, 34, the family has outdone itself.
“This year we are fortunate to have the support of our neighborhood, including a next door neighbor who is letting us use his yard as well,” Mahood told Patch.
The “Keep the Nightmare Alive Haunted House,” is at 24394 Sagecrest Circle and is free to all, though donations are accepted and by going online and donating, one can acquire a “fast pass” to get into the house quicker.
The average wait time is about 90 minutes.
“We’ve been doing haunted houses since 2005,” Mahood told Patch.
The family this year kept the zombie theme but added a few things.
“We’re very interactive,” said Mahood, adding that people have to participate in order to find the way out.
Fog machines and strobe lights add atmosphere to the experience.
Her sister is a combat videographer for the Air Force and handles all the video work.
By the time Halloween is over, more than 500 people will have passed through the house.
On Friday, the first day, about 200 people showed up; another 180 came on Saturday and Sunday's total was shaping up to reach another 200 or so.
The Ogle family was there Sunday; grandmother Cindy Ogle went to the house for a good scare with her young grandchildren, son, Greg and her daughter-in-law.
“A lot of harvest fests are going on now,” Ogle told Patch, but she added that Halloween is good for a fright.
“They’ve taken the Halloween part away.”
However, said Ogle, she plans to ensure the kids understand that the effects, zombies, blood and guts are fake.
The house, which began operation Friday, will be open one more night; Halloween night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"It’s good for the kids,” Ogle told Patch.
--Daniel Lane contributed to this article.
