PORT TOWNSEND — Hauntownsend Carnival of the Twilight doesn’t chase the cheap scare.
“A lot of haunts use blood and guts, and it works for them,” said Linda Krysinski, who is managing the weekend scare palace at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds with her husband, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Ted Krysinski.
“We are more psychological, so people don’t know what to expect, and in a lot of ways, we are like a fun house rather than a haunt,” she said.
People like to be scared, and a professional haunt does this in a safe environment, she added.
Hauntownsend, now in its fourth year, will be presented at the fairgrounds at 4907 Landes St. in Port Townsend over the next two weekends.
Begins tonight
Haunted-house hours are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29. They will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
Admission this year is $11, up $1 from last year, but visitors can go back to 2010 prices if they contribute a can of food.
A VIP admission, which will put the ticket holder at the head of the line, is $16.
An indoor seating area with free movies and concessions will be available for nights with long waits.
Proceeds from the concessions go to the Jefferson County Animal Shelter, while all profits are routed toward other charities.
The suggested age for this event is 14 years to adult. Children younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
A maze of rooms
Visitors will attempt to find their way through the reconfigured horticulture building, where 8,000 square feet have been subdivided into 14 rooms that host varying degrees of creepiness.
Spooky characters will be portrayed by 20 local actors who have donned various ghoulish outfits.
At several points, visitors can go through one door or another before ending up in the same place, so there is a random element to the experience.
These choices are meant to keep visitors off guard and convince them to return, where they can make a different choice during their next trip through the maze.
Different look
Ted Krysinski designed the layout from the beginning, but this year, Steve Spencer — who with his wife, Christy Spencer, is a Hauntownsend regular — took over the planning, which gave it a different look.
The theme of Hauntownsend is a behind-the-scenes look at a carnival — what happens after the rides shut down and the crowd goes home.
Linda Krysinski said that many haunts repeat the previous year’s program, but she seeks to vary the experience — though one component, the twirling vortex, makes an appearance every year in one place or another.
“We want to push the limits and keep everything fresh and new,” she said.
“People like it when there is a backstory — with the carnival, it brings it to life.”
Also adding to the atmosphere is the soundtrack by Chris Martin, which sets the mood.
In previous years, Hauntownsend has allowed cameras without a flash, but this has changed.
“We want it to be a surprise. If there are pictures, people will know what to expect,” Krysinski said.
“It’s better if people experience this for themselves.”
Reality turned on side
Hauntownsend turns reality on its side. The first thing people see walking into the maze is a sign telling them to please come back again, setting the stage for the behind-the-scenes theme.
And when they leave, they pass a sign that says, “Welcome to the freak show,” suggesting that the maze is reality and it is the real world that actually is insane.
Cash only will be accepted at the gate.
Tickets can be pre-purchased online at www.hauntownsend.com.
For more information, visit the website, phone 360-689-1642 or email hauntownsend@aol.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
