LAKEPORT>>: The 13th annual Haunted Lake County event, appropriately deemed “the Last Resort,” featured 13 dimly lit rooms designed to resemble an abandoned 1970s hotel. Full of pop out jump style scares, loud noises, and frightening live actors, patrons were heard screaming inside from neighboring Marshall’s and seen running away from the haunted house exit.
Upon entering the haunted house you were greeted by a dead concierge who ushered you into the hallway of the resort. To your right was the first room: A bathtub full of blood and an actress who has been assumedly killed by the axe murderer trying to enter through a hole in the wall! On to the next room where twin girls, reminiscent of the film “The Shining,” sat and stared at you through white contacts. A seance room, pregnant hippy room, and a doll room complete with a life-sized doll actress were a few of the rooms that awaited unsuspecting customers.
Continuing through the horror house labyrinth you were witness to cannibalism, a hoarder room full of garbage that felt rather real, and it all ended in a dark alley with loud thunder that aligned with lightning strikes in man made clouds that hung high above, the only light provided while you heard a chainsaw and feet running behind you. Kim Balle attended opening night Friday. “It was very well put together, scary but I laughed too,” she said.
Co-founder Nate Yahnke shared some secrets as to how they achieved some of their spooky special effects, like using old coffee grounds to attain the proper smell for their hoarder room. He also shared that most of their props come from local donations, which was very helpful in creating blockades that dually directed traffic and added to the scare factor as it minimized your line of sight and gave off a claustrophobic effect. But above all HLC holds safety in the highest standard. Yahnke said, “Everything is baby safe.” From the chainless chainsaws to saw blades made of cardboard, the interior of HLC is designed to look scary, but not actually pose any kind of threat.
The Freedom Riders Motocycle Club set up a booth at the entrance, handing out free candy to those brave enough to enter, or really anyone passing by that day. Club member Patrick Ritchie shared, “We come out here to hand out candy and support the Haunt.” The FRMC will also be attending the Field of Fears event on Halloween at That Ranch, as well as hosting their own trunk or treat event on Halloween starting at 5 p.m. at their clubhouse located across from Rotten Robbie in Lakeport.
Local resident Jessie Edmiston entered HLC very confidently stating, “I’m not going to be scared at all. There is not one moment I’ll be scared.” After attending the haunted house Edmiston shared “Do you know how many people chased me? So many more than I could count. I did get scared!”
The Saggio family stopped on their way out and shared their experience as Quentin Saggio said, “Out of one to 10 I give it a six” Viviana Saggio added “I give it a nine out of 10 because I am the brave one.”
The Galvin family had a fun night of frights as well, as Ellie and Yasmina Galvin reflected, “The actors were so good, really amazing how they stay in character.” Scott Galvin added, “It was really, really, good. Scariest haunted house I’ve ever been to, I was impressed and would go right back.”
