Haunted House at Civic Center offers up big scares this weekend
If you like to be scared at Halloween attractions, don’t miss the Lee Civic Center Haunted House.
The Civic Center will continue its haunting ways this week – today, Oct. 28, through Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the Haunted House being available then, and the Stable Ride starts when the sun goes down.
Extreme animatronics are featured throughout a lengthy spooky maze as part of the Haunted House. You really get your money’s worth with the sheer length of the walk-through. Robotic ghouls and holograms are at every turn, with spooky actors jumping out at what seems to be every bend.
“They really are amazing,” said Civic Center General Manager Alta Mosley of the animatronics. “This is our second year of doing this event and everybody is loving it. The crowds are very good.”
Haunted House aficionado and Cape Coral resident Erica Pagano, 13, said, “It was the best haunted house I’ve ever been to.”
Also on the grounds will be Bayshore Fire Protection and Rescue Service District representatives, who were there last weekend as well to offer kids information on safety. Last weekend the staffers included Chief Lawrence Nisbet, firefighter Charles Triggs, engineer Justin Edwards, firefighter Heather Kirkland and Cpt. Doug Underwood.
They bring a firetruck and the county’s Fire Safety Trailer.
“In the trailer we teach kids about different types of safety, and can even make smoke to show them how to crawl through it in case of a fire,” said Nisbet.
He said the festival has already been well received.
“This is our second year partnering with the center and the local business community that helps sponsor the event,” he said. “It is important to us to be part of a good, safe Halloween.”
He credited Underwood with coordinating the event from their end.
“He did an outstanding job, and actually started working on this in July,” Nisbet said.
Gate admission for $8 for adults, $4 for children (6-12) and free for children 5 and under. A gate admission ticket includes one trip through the Haunted House. For $4 more per adult and $2 for children, there is a Haunted Stable attraction – a hay ride that leads through barns where more spooky things happen. (Please note: little children may find that ride a little too loud and spooky but there are other things for kids.)
The event is sponsored by the Southwest Florida – Lee County Fair Association.
“The Haunted Ride starts at dusk and is similar to a haunted hayride,” Mosley continued. “You never know what might be waiting for you around the bend or in the barns.”
Gates open at 5:30 p.m., the Haunted House opens at 6 p.m. and the Haunted Ride begins at dusk.
For more information, call 543-8368 or visit www.leeciviccenter.com.
Lee Civic Center is located at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.