This year, the Haunted Garage features zombies rolling in their graves, a haunted greenhouse, a pirate ship with a crew of skeletons, a castle inhabited by witches, undead Tyrannosaurus Rexes, giant spiders, Frankensteins and all sorts of life-like ghouls and ghosts.
“The haunted attraction industry was not real friendly to little kids, and that’s what we are: a haunted attraction, and I’d also seen how difficult it was for our parent-teacher organizations to raise money,” Williams said. “The thought process was, ‘Hey, maybe I could do something with my Halloween collection.’”
Parcells seventh-grader Nolan McEdeney, one of the 40 to 50 staff members putting on the 2024 show, said he likes volunteering at the Haunted Garage because it’s an opportunity to hang out with the community—and eat cinnamon sugar donuts.
“I like to interact with families and small kids,” Mc Edeney said.
Similarly, North senior Alex Robinson said he enjoys working at the Haunted Garage because it’s fun to see the various reactions to the different exhibits. He said he couldn’t think of any bad aspects of being on staff.
“It keeps the spirit of Halloween alive,” Robinson said. “It’s nice to see the community come together to enjoy a fun family adventure.”
Since there are some jumpscares during the show, guests with heart conditions are urged to take caution. Families with little children who would not like to be jumpscared receive special hazard blinkers in order to keep the Haunted Garage friendly for all ages.
“It has its challenges. We attempt to keep all the props on sight, and when you do that, it gets a little crowded,” Williams said. “You probably don’t have a normal house, but that’s okay.”
Ironically, at the end of the show, visitors are invited into Williams’ house to take pictures in front of a dazzling Christmas display to print on their holiday cards, a cheery contrast to the rest of the frightening decor. There is also a spot where they can purchase refreshments.
“The students your age probably came here when they were younger students. We have a much better show than when they were younger, so I’d say, ‘Come on back and see it,’” Williams said.
