Nightscare haunts again

GRANT COUNTY — Nightscare Production opened its haunted house for the 13th year Tuesday, through the help of several student volunteers.

“(The haunted house) is all about the kids and the community,” said Sheryl Deuel, public relations. “This keeps the kids active and busy and gives them something to be interested in.”

A group started Nightscare in 1997 to give back to the community. They fashioned the house after haunted houses they saw in Seattle, said Deuel.

“We have actors in each room throughout the house,” Deuel said. “We have between one to five actors per room, depending on what the room calls for. Some rooms are caged and barricaded and others are open, featuring actors interacting with the public.”

The house is located at the Grant County Fairgrounds from now through Oct. 31. Kid hours are 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and adult hours are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. It is closed Sunday and Monday and open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Three are about 15 rooms in the haunted house.

“We have various rooms based upon different horror flicks that have come out in the past,” Deuel said. “There are standard rooms too, featuring classics like Freddy Krueger and vampires.”

Volunteers started building in September.

“It’s just a lot of working together, students, friends and adults,” Deuel said. “We encourage each other.”

Students involved must be enrolled in school to participate.

“We don’t stress grade point average, but they can not participate if they are failing a class,” Deuel said. “We have kids in there that have been tutors and we offer resources for kids that come in and do their homework.”

There is a homework table in the makeup room where students are encouraged to study in-between makeup jobs.

“The tables are restricted for homework-use only,” Deuel said. “Last night it was full of students doing their homework together.”

Kids must be at 18 years or older to run for a position on the production’s board. Any age can participate, as long as those 14 and younger receive signed permission from a parent.

“It usually isn’t just kids that get involved, but parents come participate too,” Deuel said.

Nightscare participants do more activities than the haunted house.

“We participate in Relay for Life in May, car washes and have a food booth during the fair,” Deuel said. “We try to raise money and put it back into the community.”

A portion of the haunted house proceeds go to various food banks throughout Grant County. Attendees receive $1 off their ticket price for bringing in one can of food.

Oct. 20, the first 50 kids 12 and under coming through the haunted house receive a free prize.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for those 12 and under.

Grant County Fairgrounds is located at 3953 Airway Drive N.E.

For more information call 509-771-2479.

Make up and acting classes are offered for those wishing to volunteer.