A creepy — yet somehow charming — man with crazy long hair and black makeup greets us at the door, asks us what level of scare we want — minimal for our son — and walks us into a Victorian parlor.
We learn about the haunted painting of a little girl who wants all of the attention. In order to appease the painting, it is the first thing our tour guide tells us about.
Our guide — who goes by Grievsley RavenHearse — says the story of the painting is true, but he also warns that we won’t know what’s real and what’s not during the RavenHearse Family Haunt at Trail Dust Town.
The family haunt is a new attraction that prides itself on “making people use their imaginations” during the tours which range on a scare level from family friendly to terrifying.
“We are very proud of our haunt because it is not like any other haunt,” said William Delfs, the family manager. “We believe in the classic haunt formula where we don’t use smoke machines, strobe lights, large amounts of gore and blood and we do not use chain saws. What we do is involve everyone in a story and a tour combination allowing your imaginations to go quite out of control and have fun as well.”
The creep factor is turned way down for children. Instead of scaring them, they are “empowered” by learning about the secrets of the haunt.
Tours are tailored to each group. So, even families with autistic and special needs children can enjoy the experience.
On a recent family tour, three little girls were afraid, so before letting them in, cast members turned the lights up and covered items that might scare them, such as the “Cinderella” skeleton resting in the corner on a chaise lounge.
The girls were then shown items one at a time, at their own pace, and even allowed to touch some things. Afterward, they had to take an oath of secrecy.
“I promise to never tell the secrets I have learned in here,” they say in unison.
For those who want to be scared, they’ll gladly oblige.
When you’re in a pitch black room with a creepy narrator and a wild imagination, it’s hard not to freak out a little bit.
The RavenHearse Family Haunts are open every day of the week and will remain open year-round. Admission is included on the $8 wristband at Trail Dust Town. If you forgo the wristband, the cost is $4.
The haunts are part of a large Halloween bash at Trail Dust Town.
The event takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and features different activities. From 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. the kids can trick-or-treat. Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids — TRAK for short — will be there with a petting zoo from 4:30 to 7 p.m. And The Loft Cinema will show a free screening of “The Addam’s Family” in Polly Anna Park at 6:30 p.m. While you’re there, don’t miss the Halloween stunt show by the Pinnacle Peak Pistoleros at 7 or 8 p.m.
Trail Dust Town is at 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road.
Here are some other Halloween highlights around town.
4th Avenue’s Halloween costume contest for kids
Make a whole weekend out of Halloween and head over to Haggerty Plaza, 316 N. Fourth Ave., at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, for trick-or-treating, live music, kids movies, games and a costume contest.
The highlight of the evening is, of course, the costume contest. Little ghosts, witches, goblins and zombies will strut their stuff for prizes. Since all participants get a goody bag, you won’t have to worry about hurt feelings.
“It is a joy to see all the kids dressed up and ‘pregaming’ their Halloween looks for the costume contest,” said Lizzie Mead, owner of Silver Sea Jewelry and a Fourth Avenue Merchants Association board member. “All the kids who participate in the costume contest get a goodie bag that includes a gift certificate for a free kids ice cream cone at Dairy Queen. So, everyone wins, really.”
Merchants along the avenue will hand out candy until they run out, Mead said.
The treats aren’t just for little kids.
Mead’s store will hand jewelry treats for teenagers and parents who have gone the extra mile and “rocked their costume magnificently.”
“Halloween is fun for everyone, and I don’t feel like dressing up and getting a goodie at the high school line,” Mead said. “Especially since I spend a fair amount if time playing dress up myself.”
Rincon Valley Cowboy Church Fall Festival
To give families an alternative to creepy Halloween activities, the Rincon Valley Cowboy Church is holding an old fashioned fall festival.
“We’ll still have candy and stuff like that, but they won’t be involved in the scary stuff,” said Joe Grizzle, the church’s pastor. “It’ll definitely be more of a cowboy feel.”
Lots of fun activities are planned. Power from the Past will be there with antique tractors. Rope making demonstrations, live music, face painting, food, giveaways and a photo booth are also among the planned activities.
“We have a cowboy guy who’s gonna teach the kids how to rope,” Grizzle said. “He’s gonna have a dummy set up ... We’re just gonna do a bunch of really neat things.”
The event is free to the public including free food. Organizers are asking that you bring a can of food for the food bank.
It’s from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Rocking K Ranch, 13401 E. Old Spanish Trail.
More Halloween events
Tucson has plenty to offer families that are interested in traditional trick-or-treat. We’ve listed a few of our favorites here.
Haunted Ruins: A Witch’s Quest is a 35- to 40-minute walking theatrical adventure through Valley of the Moon, 2544 E. Allen Road. The family-friendly show is about a young witch who has a lot to learn about the difference between good and evil. Adventures run every 20 minutes from 6 to 8:20 p.m. Oct. 30. Admission is $10 for ages 16 and up; free for children 15 and under. Details: tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com
Trunk or Treat at Ott Family YMCA, 401 S. Prudence Road. The Y is hosting a safe, family event that includes a costume contest, food, games, trunk or treating, monster Zumba, jumping castle and slides, balloon animals, face painting and a costume contest. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Details: 885-2317.
Haunted Halloween Bowl, Golden Pin Lanes, 1010 W. Miracle Mile. Tour the Haunted Maze, hear graveyard stories, take your photo with a zombie and enter the costume contest. Daytime event takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and includes a Creepy Cakewalk and trick-or-treat tables. The nighttime event is 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and includes cosmic bowling, a DJ and food specials. Prices are $6 per person or $20 for a group of two adults and four children for the daytime event. Evening tickets are $12 per person or $50 for a lane for five, with proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association. Details: 888-4272
Haunted History at Fort Lowell Museum, 2900 N. Craycroft Road. Hear haunting stories of the 19th century military post. There will be activities, games and a craft table for the kids. You’ll also get to make a beeswax candle the traditional way of hand dipping. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Free to attend the event, but $4 per person for the candle activity. 885-3832.
Spooktacular Science Weekend, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd. on the University of Arizona campus. Fun activities from student groups, slippery slime, squid dissections, liquid nitrogen, arts and crafts, and Halloween treats. Plus, Halloween laser show “Fright Lights” in the planetarium theater. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Wear a costume for 25 percent off of admission. $14 adults; $10 children 4 to 17. More info: 621-7827.
