The boogeyman is out in force as local haunted attractions begin the countdown to Halloween.
BLOWING SCREAMS FARM
Where: Nighttime version of Blowing Springs Farm, site of Rock City's Enchanted Maize in Flintstone, Ga.
Season: Open tonight and every Friday and Saturday night in October.
Attractions: Forest of Fear, a self-guided haunt through the woods, a swamp, scrapyard, abandoned buildings, tunnels and a 165-year-old house; and GhostRide, a self-guided haunt through the cornfield, beginning with a hayride into the horror. Watch out for the "Deliverance" clan in Forest of Fear. Features themed food, Black Forest makeovers, bonfire, live bands.
Admission: $15 either, $25 both attractions; $39 season pass includes discounts on food, beverages, face painting and daytime maze tickets.
Website: www.blowingscreamsfarm.com.
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THE HAUNTED BARN
Where: McDonald, Tenn.
Season: Open at 7:30 tonight and every Friday and Saturday night in October (ticket sales begin at 7 nightly). Open till midnight or later.
Attractions: A 16-room walk-through barn out in the country and a huge, totally dark maze. No lines. Bonfire, graveyard and other entertainment while you wait.
Admission: $15.
Website: www.thehauntedbarnchattanooga.com.
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THE HAUNTED CARNIVAL
Where: Sir Goony's Family Fun Center, 5918 Brainerd Road.
Season: Open tonight, every Friday and Saturday night in October, and Oct. 30-31.
Attractions: New show, "Nightmares," haunted by 30 fear engineers who bring the two-story Castle Nightmare and its intense finale, "The Darkness," to life. Ticket also includes 19 holes of haunted golf (use anytime in October), go-carts, bumper cars, batting cage and pizza discount.
Admission: $20.
Website: www.sirgoonys.com.
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THE HAUNTED HILLTOP
Where: 8235 Highway 58.
Season: Open at 7 tonight, every Friday and Saturday night in October, and Oct. 30-31. Fireworks show at 9 p.m. on Halloween. Open till 1 a.m. or later.
Attractions: Two huge haunted houses, linked by haunted maze and inhabited by 35 professional actors. Scares begin with a haunted hayride through the woods and cornfield. No lines. Bonfire, movies, music and a graveyard for entertainment while you wait.
Admission: $18.
Phone: 488-3956.
Website: www.thehauntedhilltop.com.
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HAUNTED CAVERN
Where: Ruby Falls, 1720 Scenic Highway.
Season: Opens at 8 tonight; every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October; plus Halloween and the following Friday, Nov. 4. On-site ticket sales begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets sold until 10 p.m. and until at least 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Attractions: Barnabus Hale's Menagerie of the Macabre Traveling Side Show is on the loose 26 stories underground. In addition to the cave section, there is a bus ride and an above-ground haunt.
Also: Horror Nights movie package offers $350 room rental inside cave for up to 40 people to watch a movie; discounted rate for Haunted Cavern.
Admission: $22 on-site, $20 online.
Phone: 821-2544.
Website: www.hauntedcavern.com.
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HOUSE OF HORRORS
Where: 140 Edwards St., Cleveland, Tenn. From Chattanooga, take I-75 North to Exit 25. Turn right onto 25th Street, then right onto Keith Street, left onto Inman Street and left onto Edwards.
Season: Opens at 7 tonight; every Friday and Saturday in October, plus Halloween. Open till midnight.
Attractions: A spooky warehouse sets the scene.
Admission: $10.
Website: http://wewillscareyou.com.