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Eureka Screams! Presents 22-Room Raycliff Manor Victorian Haunt
Delivering an atmosphere of complete terror, Eureka Screams! presents a new Halloween attraction for northwest Arkansas - the Raycliff Manor Victorian Haunt, featuring 22 rooms of mind-blowing, heart pounding scares. Tony Grat, of Phantasmagoria fame, a Halloween horror show, as well as many other Eureka Springs productions, is directing the show.
(PRWEB) September 5, 2004 -- Delivering an atmosphere of complete terror, Eureka Screams! presents a new Halloween attraction for northwest Arkansas - the Raycliff Manor Victorian Haunt, featuring 22 rooms of mind-blowing, heart pounding scares.
Its being billed as a Victorian home where a mad genius once discovered the secret of extracting the fears from his victims as trophies for his collection of terror. Now those fears are trapped inside, waiting for those who enter."
Raycliff Manor, produced by Lee Ostergren and Kelly Allen, owners of Eureka Screams! and the TradeWinds in Eureka Springs, will unlock for those who dare to enter beginning Sept. 24 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds in Berryville. The doors creak open at 7 p.m. and slam shut at midnight on Sept. 24 and 25, Oct. 1 and 2, and then each Thursday through Saturday throughout the rest of October, and on Halloween. Tickets are $11 per person and may be purchased at the county scaregrounds." A coupon for $2 off can be printed from the Web site, www.eurekascreams.com.
The online disclaimer reads, Not recommended for children under the age of 13, pregnant women, individuals with weak hearts, or wimps! This is a scary attraction with high shock factor, terrifying special effects, and illusions that are horrifyingly real!"
Raycliff Manor will include special effects, animatronics and a computerized sound system through each room. When you first go in, it will be like youre going into a Victorian mansion," Allen explained. People will feel like theyre walking into a house and come out the other end screaming and running."
A faηade of a Victorian building will be placed in front of a warehouse at the fairgrounds and rooms will be created throughout the warehouse space. Once in the house, participants will discover elements such as secret passageways that lead to a dungeon.
The company that is designing it is using a special effect thats used on stage with magicians and this is the first time [this magical illusion] has been used in a haunted attraction," Allen added. Its definitely going to be state-of-the-art. Its not your typical garage haunt."
Tony Grat, of Phantasmagoria fame, a Halloween horror show, as well as many other Eureka Springs productions, is directing the show. Volunteers 18 years or older are assisting with the production and some actually auditioned for fright roles. Theyre going to have to be theatrical," Allen explained.
Allen and Ostergren hired a company out of California to build the 4,400 square-foot modular design haunted house. The company will assemble it one week before the opening of Raycliff Manor. The duo has been working on the project for a year and plan to make it an annual event.
Were going to switch it out every year," Allen said. We want the theme to be a little different. We want the scares and special effects to be different, so nobody sees whats coming from year to year."
Allen and Ostergren are considering whether to try to locate the haunted attraction at the fairgrounds again next year or possibly purchase some property to build a permanent facility.
Were planning on growing it," Allen explained. Within three years we want it to be twice as big." Eventually, the producers would like it to be open as a spring, summer and fall attraction.
This year Eureka Screams! will be advertised on the radio, with ticket giveaways, and by Allen and Ostergren driving a black hearse throughout northwest Arkansas. The hearse will tow a trailer carrying a headstone that reads Grave News," with a marquee that reads, Do You Dare? EurekaScreams.com."
We bought it over Ebay from Florida," Allen said of the hearse, trailer and headstone, from which he and Ostergren will pass out coupons. Its pretty creepy looking."
Ten percent of the profits from this event will benefit the Lane House, an arts enrichment center for youth, based in Eureka Springs. The fairgrounds are located at 104 CR 401, Berryville. From Eureka Springs take Ark. 62 east to Freeman and turn left at the first light, and left at the Ark. 21 and Ark. 221 north junction. The fairgrounds will be on your left. From Harrison take Ark. 62 west to Ark. 21 north and follow Ark. 21 north to the north junction with Ark. 221. The fairgrounds will be on your left.
For more information, call the Raycliff Manor information line at (479) 253-7887 or visit, www.eurekascreams.com.
The Raycliff Manor Victorian Haunt may be the newest spooky attraction in northwest Arkansas in the month of October, yet numerous other diverse Halloween fun will take place as well.
Murder and Mayhem Trolley runs every Thursday night in October from the Fort Smith Museum of History. Trolley departs at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission is $5. (479) 783-7841, www.fortsmithmuseum.com.
3rd annual Historic Ghost Walk, Oct. 14 and 28, Bentonville City Cemetery. Admission is $15. (479) 273-9664.
Phantasmagoria, a Halloween horror show, 8 p.m., Oct. 28-31, The Auditorium, Eureka Springs. (888) 855-7823, www.mountjupiter.com. Tickets are $13. Because of the graphic subject matter, the show is only for adult audiences and is only offered to children 13 and older.
9th Annual Howl-O-Ween Party, Oct. 29-30, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 7 miles south of Eureka Springs on Ark. 23 South. Includes viewing over 120 large cats, a haunted hayride, and food. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children. (479) 253-5841, www.turpentinecreek.org.
Haunted Hayride, Oct. 30, Devils Den State Park, West Fork. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa while you roast marshmallows over an open fire and listen to ghost stories. Reservations required due to limited space. Admission is free. (479) 761-3325, www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
5th annual Trunk or Treat and Kids Halloween Costume Parade, Oct. 30, Diamond B Mall Lower Parking Lot, Horseshoe Bend. Auto trunks decorated for Halloween. Costume parade with various age groups. Prizes for costumes; treats for all. Admission is free. (870) 670-5433.
3rd Annual Trick or Treat on the Downtown Square, 3-5 p.m., Oct. 30, Fayetteville. Trick or Treat at participating businesses. Come in costume. Admission is free. (800) 766-4626, www.fayettevilletourism.com.
NOTE to MEDIA: Media Night for Raycliff Manor will be at 6 p.m., Sept. 24, the grand opening night. Members of the media are welcome to a free tour of the haunted house. Cameras are welcome. Doors open to customers at 7 p.m. For more information, call the producers at 479-253-9774.
By Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
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