The History of Fright Night
1980 was a banner year when we began haunting in our woods and house. When entering the road to our house we placed props and a siren in the lane. Themed music and mannequins were placed on the front porch.
Our home has an eerie basement because it was built in the 1800’s. To enter the house you had to pass thru a giant wooden skull and slide to the basement. As you proceeded down the slide huge amounts of smoke would be coming out of the skull. We would place branches and special effects in the basement before you climbed the stairs. After passing thru the house you would enter onto back deck and get a tour of the woods. We made many of our props and purchased many different lights and smoke machines. Several of our friends would volunteer to act as monsters in the woods.
We purchased an Army tent to protect our friends and costumes from undesirable weather. Food was served on the deck; we had a costume contest, and a DJ for entertainment. Costumes were required for our event.
After 15 years of our yard/woods haunt we had acquired many lights, smoke machines and props. In 1995 we formed our own Corporation, Graveyard Productions, (now Graveyard Enterprises), and opened a haunted house attraction to the public. We also started to attend Transworld Tradeshow, which is held every March and has thousands of vendors. At the trade show you can attend seminars, purchase anything imaginable, and are limited only by your purse strings.
We change our theme every year and need approximately 20,000 sq.ft.. We just need the shell of a building and we build our own haunted city inside.
For the first two years we were located at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds. The grounds and building worked very well for us but after the 2nd year at this location we decided we needed to be in a more visible location.
In 1998 we leased the former Hal Lowry building (now Ryan’s Steak House), on Route 30. A medieval theme was used and was very successful. Scenes and characters were as surreal as possible. This year we also began to use airbrush make-up. We can now paint 40 or more people in less than one hour.
In June 1999 we agreed to build the sets and do the technical “Burning of Chambersburg” for Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. This was a very worthwhile community project to raise money for preserving the Capitol Theatre. Graveyard Enterprises also helps Scotland School for Veterans Children every year with lighting, props, and assistance in presenting their spring play.
In 1999 our haunted house was located at 18 N. Second Street in Chambersburg. In 2000 and 2001 we were located in the Old County Market building in the South Gate Shopping Center. In 2002 and 2003 we were located beside Ollie’s Bargain Outlet on Lincoln Way East. We did not operate in 2004 because of a medical condition of my partner and decided to take the year off to allow for his recovery.
In 2005 and 2006 we were located at the former Lowe’s building in the Franklin Shopping Center in Chambersburg. We also acquired a real elevator in order to transition patrons to different portions of the haunt. 2007 was also at the former Lowe’s building. In 2008 we will be located once again at the Old County Market building in the Southgate Shopping Center in downtown Chambersburg, PA.
We have a staff of approximately 45 volunteers who are tremendous actors and are very intense.
Fright Night is an interactive haunted attraction. We will provide patrons with a visual, physical, and psychological experience. You may find yourself petrified going thru the attraction. The house has bone chilling halls, a morbidly fun maze, gruesome sounds, and unforgettable scary sights. Everything will change when you enter. When the lights are out – fright is on ----you’ll see. Cursed to dwell in darkness, never knowing the warmth of day.
We continue to donate part of the proceeds to the Sheetz Family Christmas to help those who are less fortunate.
