The Haunted Mill

I went to college in Rexburg, Idaho; and, I've got to say, Rexburg is one of my favorite places to be during the Halloween season. Local businesses have taken advantage of the fact that there are a lot of starving students looking for cheap entertainment, especially during the fall when everything gets colder and more spooky. There are things from carnivals to straw and corn mazes to, of course, haunted houses. Ugh, not to mention pumpkin patches, local places to get fresh cider, and miles on top of miles of fresh autumn air to consume from the comforts of your car.

Ah, yisss, Rexburg is a fantastic place for fall lovers.

One of my favorite places to go (I try to visit several times during the season) is The Haunted Mill. They're located a few miles north of Rexburg in a small town called Teton. It's out in the middle of nowhere, which makes a perfect setting for this broken down old mill (yes, it's an actual old mill):

This image can be found on their website, which is also where you can find directions to the place and information on all the different actual spirits who live there.

This is one of my favorite haunted houses of all time mostly because the creators of the haunt are so imaginative with the layout. Each year, it's completely different in there. And the small parts that do stay the same are the best parts--they never get old and never get unscary. I usually get scared just knowing a certain part is coming up, which is really what makes a great haunt.

I have great college memories at that mill, as well! My first year out at college is when I got acquainted with this wonderful place. A group of us kids went through the haunt and had a lot of fun going through. The most memorable moment of that night for me, though, was at the very end when one of the guys in the group decided it would be fun to hide until I came out...and then proceed to chase me down the bank (with me thinking it was still part of the haunt). I still giggle at the memory, even if it is half out of embarrassment.

So, if you're ever in Idaho during the holiday season (yes, for me Halloween IS the holiday season), hit me up on facebook and I'll give you some great places to go. But, for freaking sure, go to The Haunted Mill. You have no idea the amount of awesome you're in for until you actually pull up and look at the building you're about to enter. And trust me, it's worth the road trip!

Stay spooky!

The Laughter of Little...Clowns.

So, I have a strange obsession, and I am addressing it today. My topic is!

HAUNTED CARNIVALS!

I love haunted carnivals. If I could build a haunted house based solely on creepy carnival things, I would be vastly happy. There's something so fantastic about the maniacal laugh of a clown and the giggle of an unseen impish carny to the backdrop of broken down, out of beat old carnival music. I can't get enough of it.

It also makes me happy to find people who have done this style of haunt right! Because it's a style that's very easy to screw up--as in, over acting...too much makeup...cheesy, cliche props...or props that are too obviously homemade. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are a few people who have done it right!

Oh, and to add to the mood, here's some music.

Alright, the picture above came from this forum, on which was posted a great carnival and the carnies themselves! VIOLA!

This is a haunt called Carnival of Risk. It's so well done, it kind of makes me want to cry. I love the decor of the booths, not to mention the makeup and characters. In my opinion, this haunt is perfectly executed in this style. I need to travel there!

Here's another fun one! It's called Psycho Circus, which is a name that definitely promises a good time. I'm pretty sure a lot of it is homemade, which is really impressive because the props aren't bad! The video is a bit long, but it's fun to watch.

Here are a few cool props: the tightrope bike, Scare Factory clowns, and a whole page of neat...stuff!

So, I guess that'll be all for now. I hope I've piqued your interest, at least! Have a very scary day!