Words by Richard Lavendar

Halloween is growing near and this is the sixth year for the Haunting of Oak Beach.  Richard Lavendar or the Demonised Ghoul as he prefers to be known at this time of the year said, "It's amazing how the years have gone by so fast. It seems like after I've taken everything down it's time to start putting it all up again."

"We start each Haunt in April with design and layout.  By the first week of October we are adding the finishing touches to a special Haunt. Each year we try to do the Haunt different. This year is going to be something very special and very sexy."

Six months of preparation for 3 hours of a ghoulish Haunt. "We're opening and closing a half hour later this year.  Darkness and low light is important to enhance the  creepy Halloween displays.  At 7:30PM, when it is completely dark, there's some magical and eerie things that occur. You can just imagine what the Haunt would look like at 9PM.

 
It's amazing!" the Demonised Ghoul red eyes seemed to beam as he expressed his dark views. This year could be one of the best and certainly the sexiest Haunt's ever."explained Mr Ghoul.

Held on 1.5 acres there is 'haunting eye candy' every which way you turn. As you go through the Haunt in a controlled 'walk through,'  where walk ways are roped off, you are guided from one display to the next.  

"The Haunt visitors will flow through this year which will reduce wait times to experience the gruesome and visually stimulating displays" the Ghoul pointed out.  "At 6:30 Michael Jackson's Thriller will fill the air. When the song is complete the door opens and visitors will be funnelled through to keep a constant flow of people".

This year Kennards Rentals is sponsoring the two 'Haunted Toilets'. With the assistance of Zammataro Plumbing this years 'Haunted Toilets' should be a real releasing experience.

Imagine entering the Haunt through the mouth of a screaming face. To your left a strobe light gives the impression of Ghosts dancing amongst the tree limbs.

You'll approach the 'Palace of Ghouls' where you'll meet either the 'Invisible Man' or, if he's in, you can take your picture with the 'Demonised Ghoul'.  

Just past the 'Palace of Ghouls' you'll be greeted by the 'Spooky Graveyard Care Taker' (Brian Priestly) If you are good he will have a treat for you.

This years 'Spooky Grave Yard' is huge, dark and scary.  Next you'll experience the 'Haunted Thunder Box,' a yearly hit and occupied by a serious creature of the night painfully expressing himself.  

Things grow dark and the path turns left and you'll walk under a huge spider and enter 'Spider Lady's Lair' where you'll be surrounded by spider webs glowing in the dark as you receive your own pet spider and a special treat from the 'Spider Lady' (Virginia Goodall). 

The Haunt takes a turn to the creepy and you'll approach a Frog (Jasmin Davies) in the front yard of the 'Witches Hut'. This will be a big hit this year. The Hut glows slime green and fog oozes up from the ground and the chimney stack releases smoke. It looks like Shreks forest house only more sinister.

Enter if you dare to meet the 'Witch' (Louise Davies) - actually you have no choice but be nice to the Witch or you could be turned into a toad.  

Go forth to Fantasy Land - what lies behind the Lorax entrance is a site for sore eyes.  Hundred of spooky eyes will be upon you. There's no turning back.
Once through Fantasy Land you come to the Haunted ‘roundabout’ where the visitor makes up their mind of which way to go; Scary or Scary errr.  Going left (scary) you'll visit a fire breathing 'Dinosaur'.

Going right (scary errr) you'll be visually disturbed by the 'Headless Little People'.  Next, in Scary errr you'll have to make another decision.  Go through the 'Chamber of Horrors' (pretty freaky and scary - the chamber actually shakes and drips ooze) or visit the entrance to 'Pirates Cove'

Having the roundabout makes the people go back to the entrance, get in line, and start all over again to see what they missed.  Either way you go you'll end up visiting 'Frankenstein'.  Next you'll watch blood flow from the 'scary rock wall' (light show designed and displayed by Bart Robbins 'DJ Bart - Electric Dreams) and then come together and visit 'Stonehenge' with 7 ft tall aliens - their heads turning as they watch you go by.

This year Thor (Ian Murray) guards ' Stonehenge' - Yes, a life size replica of Stonehenge that the aliens inhabit. To your right you'll be taken back to the 1700's and you'll encounter a sultry and beautiful Pirate Wench (Genna Mathers) who guides you to the 'Torture Well' (you think water boarding is bad) and then to the Pirates Pub.  Beware! These drunken pirates can be unruly and downright rude (John Jakobs, Neil Goodall & Neil Clarke).

You'll turn to your left be greeted by the Grim Reaper asking for your name. The path goes up with the 'Spooky Grave Yard' on the right and to your left you'll
be shocked by the Mummy wishing you a scary farewell.

Now comes the big decision -  Be filled with gruesome regrets or go through the Haunt again and see what you missed.  

It's best to go through the Haunt more than once.  Plus, the darker it gets the scarier the Haunt is.

This years Haunt is a 'must do' experience.  Don't be one of the ones who says "Oh darn I missed it!  I hear such great things about the Haunting of Oak Beach".

For a location map of the Haunting of Oak Beach go to www.hauntingofoakbeach.com  or have a question or want to volunteer write to the Demonised Ghoul: ghoul@hauntingofoakbeach.com