Marcus Larson/News-Register##Volunteer Todd Reed drills holes in the walls of one of the Haunted Granary’s “scare rooms.”

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Kaity Scott mixes colors, such as red and black, to add a frantic feeling to the outside maze. The attraction features indoor and outdoor sections, both equally scary.

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Dolls’ eyes will follow visitors on their progress through Carlton’s Haunted Granary.

Ghosts return to Haunted Granary for revenge

CARLTON — According to a legend featured in Carlton’s first Halloween attraction, back in 2012, a teenage couple once met up with a serial killer in the town’s tallest structure, the vintage granary.

Subsequent “Haunted Granary” events have featured a nefarious runaway train and an assortment of other fear-inducing subjects, from spiders and snakes to clowns.

@@fast-facts@@

This year, the ghosts of the teens, the clowns and other victims and killers have returned to take their revenge on all who enter the granary. The revenge scenario also features numerous doors to open and enter.

“Who knows what’s behind them?” asked Mary Reed, one of the organizers.

The combination of doors and spirits and mystery promises to be so scary, she said, that even some of the volunteers are starting to experience shivers and shakes.

“I’m scared speechless,” said Todd Reed, Mary’s husband and partner in haunting.

Event founder Tammy Nagley comes up with the thrilling plots, the Reeds said. Dozens of community volunteers set up and run the haunted tour.

This year, they’ll be hosting three weeks of fun, beginning tonight in the granary at the center of town.

PG-13 rated shows will start at 7 p.m. the first two Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24, and Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 29 to 31.

The attraction will be open until 11 p.m. In past years, lines have been long at times, so organizers plan to continue tours later if people are still waiting at the stated closing time.

Admission is $10 plus two cans of food for the local food bank.

Proceeds go to the Carlton Community Foundation, which sponsors community events such as Fun Days and National Night Out. CCF also provides some scholarships and is helping build a skate park.

Last’s year’s event also brought in more than 3,000 pounds of food to help those in need.

Other nonprofits will benefit from the event by setting up food and beverage booths.

Volunteers work for months to put together the Haunted Granary experience, Mary Reed said. It’s a lot of work, but it lets them have fun while using their creativity. 

The 40 to 50 volunteers involved each night of the run enjoy the performances, too. They find it rewarding to make people scream, Reed said.

In fact, she said, “we’re always trying to scare each other. You can be deep in thought and working on something, and someone will sneak up on you.”

For more information, check the Carlton’s Haunted Halloween Facebook page.