Prepare for a Dreadful Time at the Haunted House on 41

Whooooo's ready to scare up some ghoulish delight?

Land O' Lakes teens are.

A group of students is busy preparing to welcome foolish mortals to the community center's annual Haunted House on 41.

Most of the volunteers are Land O' Lakes High students, Recreation Leader Mandy Stephens said. But teens from other schools are kindly asked to drag their bodies to the community center for the next few weeks to help out.

Meetings take place Monday through Friday after school—around 3 p.m.—through the events dates. Volunteers will build the sets and decorate, Stephens said. Construction lasts from two to three hours per day, but volunteers don't have to stay the entire time.

"Whatever they can put in," Stephens said.

To volunteer, simply show up after school, Stephens said.

Donations from local businesses and individuals also are needed, Stephens said. Costumes, props, candy and gift cards to stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's would be much appreciated to help make the longstanding tradition a ghastly success.

The haunted house is a tradition in Land O’ Lakes that dates back longer than Recreation Supervisor Mike Walcott can remember, he said in a previous Patch interview.

“We’ve been doing it for 10 years, but it’s probably been 20 (or more),” he said.

The Haunted House on 41, 5401 Land O Lakes Blvd., will welcome brave visitors for a free sneak peek from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 25. 

If you make it out in one piece that night, you can return between 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Oct. 26 and 27. Admission is $1 per person.

Teen volunteers will be terrifying house-guests inside as well as working the event outside, Stephens said.

The attraction may be too intense for young children, so leave the smallest ghosts and goblins at home.

Scared yet?

"Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding, almost as if you sense a disquieting metamorphosis..." 

Buwahahahaha.

Editor's note: I am a crazed Halloween fan who can't resist throwing in Disney's Haunted Mansion ride quotes in stories—and general everyday conversation, year-round. I apologize for my weirdness. Or is that just your imagination? Hmmm?

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