Graveyard Productions' 17th annual Haunted Graveyard is back for its eighth year at Lake Compounce amusement park in Bristol, Connecticut. The Halloween attraction stakes the claim of being New England's largest and scariest Halloween event, and there's plenty of horror in store for 2007.
Graveyard Productions president Ernie Romegialli founded the Haunted Graveyard in his Middletown, Connecticut, backyard 17 years ago. In 1999, the event drew 43,000 fright-seekers to its location at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Connecticut. The Haunted Graveyard moved to Lake Compounce in 2000 to accommodate larger crowds. Begun as a means to distract his diabetic daughter from thoughts of candy, the annual event has raised more than $500,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation since 1991. Once again, a portion of proceeds will be donated to this non-profit organization.
The ghouls and goblins that inhabit Lake Compounce, New England's oldest family amusement park, intend to scare a lot of visitors throughout the month of October. How terrifying is it? The Haunted Graveyard Web site warns that it is "the most terrifying haunted Halloween attraction ever created by man." Now that sounds scary! The Haunted Graveyard is intended for adults and brave older children; kiddie rides at the amusement park do not operate during the Haunted Graveyard's fall run.
The Haunted Graveyard is a 45-minute walk-through attraction. You'll visit six special effects-filled haunted houses and a graveyard as you follow the labyrinth of terrifying trails. You'll find unexpected scares inside the Reaper's Realm and walk through the Vortex, a tunnel of spinning lights and eerie mist. Watch out for the Killer Pumpkins, too.
In a press release, Lake Compounce general manager Jerry Brick said, "We're always very excited about Halloween and the very scary Haunted Graveyard. 2007 promises once again to be a thrilling experience for everyone who comes to Lake Compounce."
What You Need to Know
2007 Dates of Operation
The Haunted Graveyard is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting September 28, 2007 (with the exception of Sunday, September 30), plus Wednesday, October 31, although rides will not operate on Halloween.
Times
The Haunted Graveyard will operate from dusk until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from dusk until 10 p.m. on Sundays. Park gates open at 5 p.m. each evening. Visitors can purchase tickets to the Haunted Graveyard with the virtual queue system, then go on rides instead of waiting in line.
Admission Prices
Admission for The Haunted Graveyard and unlimited rides at Lake Compounce is $27.95 for adults and $20.95 for children under 12. Admission for The Haunted Graveyard only is $19.95 for adults and $13.95 for children under 12. For rides only, the admission fee is $17.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids. Discounted combo tickets are available for groups of 15 or more. For group reservations, call 860-583-3300, ext. 6903.
Getting to Lake Compounce
A map and directions are available online.
For More Information
Call Lake Compounce's 24-hour hotline at 860-280-3399.
