Navigating through the twists and turns in the dark inside the Blackout Zone is a test of valor for those brave enough to venture through two new haunted house experiences at the Lake Square Mall.
From the Blackout Zone and Area 352 to the return of Fear Reach Scream Park, several spooky attractions offering frightful adventures are popping up in the surrounding communities.
This is the first year the mall is hosting two haunted houses, said Robin Reynolds, Lake Square Mall events and marketing coordinator.
“Every year for the past five years we have done a haunted house,” Reynolds said. “We started in a vacant store and it was kind of small, but each year it grew.”
The new Halloween-themed adventure is the brainchild of Joshua Blake, creative arts director at Lake Square Mall, who has experience working for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, Reynolds said.
“Josh is a very talented person, especially with the details in the costumes and makeup,” Reynolds said. “I encourage everyone to pay attention to the details because they’re just amazing.”
The Blackout Zone will have guests working their way through jump scares at an abandoned J.C. Penney store while in the dark.
The other haunted house, Area 352, organized in partnership with Rayl Ranch in Howey-in-the-Hills, will be an otherworldly experience with aliens who were captured but have escaped.
“It’s not just the haunted houses — the entire mall is decorated for Halloween,” Reynolds said. “The Rayl family helped decorate the interior part of the mall because they had so many props from doing their haunted house. They have amazing design and thought processes.”
The thrilling experience is open from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31. It also will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 and 25. Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. For more information, visit lakesquaremall.com.
Tavares
Nightly screams are the new normal at Far Reach Ranch as the Tavares farmland is transformed once again into Fear Reach Scream Park.
Participants will be forced to face their fears while navigating two immersive haunted houses following the theme Willow’s Nightmares.
Stepping into the mind of fictional character Willow, who is in a cryogenic state but whose nightmares and memories come to life in the Discarded Laboratory and the Parasomnia.
Guests also can have a spooky party at the Pitchfork Parlor, where there will be live music from local band The Dismembered.
This is the first year the haunted park will be run by Dona Vista Arts, a nonprofit for local students to engage in opportunities within the arts, in collaboration with ASH Collective.
Brennan Hamill, Far Reach Ranch director of operations, said since Dona Vista Arts has been involved with Far Reach Scream Park from the very beginning, it made sense to transition control of the event to the nonprofit.
“They definitely know how to make a spooky event even spookier,” Hamill said. “We’ve donated the scream park concept and all the props, costumes and more. We’re providing use of the property. We’re excited to see this event evolve and grow with a great new purpose.”
The park will be open Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 24. General admission is $30. The ranch is at 1255 S. Dora Blvd. in Tavares. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit farreachranch.com.
Lady Lake
In Lady Lake, October will feature spooky adventures for all ages with two signature events.
Snooky Park, 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd., will transform into an eerie scene with the Spooky Park Haunted Trail, where scare actors will provide shocking surprises throughout the park.
Admission for the trail, happening from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 17, will be $5 per person.
For the younger crowd, the Not Too Scary Halloween Boo Bash will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Guava Street Athletic Complex, 221 W. Guava St.
It will include youth costume contests in categories for people ages 4 and under; ages 5 to 8; ages 9 and up; and families.
“October is one of our favorite times of year, because these two events give us a chance to create completely different experiences for the community,” said Amy Alicea, Lady Lake events coordinator. “Spooky Park is for those looking for a good scare, while Boo Bash gives families a fun place to dress up, spend time together and enjoy Halloween. We’re excited to bring both back for another year.”
For more information about the event, visit ladylakefl.gov or call 352-205-2826.
Bushnell
The sixth annual Track-or-Treat offers a frightful yet fun spooky half a mile ride on a ⅛ scale train.
Ghosts, witches and colorful lights will light up the pathway offering at the Bushnell Station, 6470 County Road 476.
Craig Hurst, president of the Bushnell Station, said this is a family-friendly experience that gets bigger and bigger each year.
“It’s a family event because everyone regardless of age enjoys it — it doesn’t matter if you are 1 year old or 99 years old,” Hurst said. “We add around 15 things every year, not just with the outside lights but also in the tunnels.”
The train will leave the station from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October. Tickets for seniors 65 years old and older are $10.50. Adults under 65 years old pay $12.50. Children ages 4 to 12 years old pay $7 and children under 4 years old get in free.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit bushnellstation.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
