Enter the realm of Frightland if you dare and travel through the depths of darkness and evil.
Haunting its guests for 14 years, the attraction provides a "spooktacular" experience with access to The Attic, Barn of Horror, Idalia Manor, The Escape, the Haunted Hayride, Haunted Woods, Forgotten Asylum and the Town of Redemption.
Along with the occasional continence mishap, there are constant screams of terror coming from the 1,350 acres of farmland, all in the spirit of Halloween fun.
The park, which scares teens and adults with live ghouls, animatronics and creepy scenes, was dubbed "one of America's scariest Halloween attractions" by The Travel Channel.
"We have an awesome group of volunteers who work during the off-season to help create Frightland," said manager fright mom Debbie Hall. "Actual building starts in April or May depending upon the weather."
During prime time, about 150 actors gather each evening to prepare for the make-up process, which is handled by a small team of talented artists.
Joe Davis of New Castle has been deceiving guests at Frightland for six years, applying his craftsmanship of prosthetics and latex masks.
"I plan on doing this for as long as it is open since it is fun and for a good cause," he said.
A portion of the proceeds go to the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware in honor of the owner's daughter, who is a survivor of leukemia.
In addition to make-up artists, live actors have a very demanding position to successfully entertain 20,000 guests who travel there from all over the U.S.
Second year actor Aloura Shaver of Newark transforms into a zombie cowboy.
"I'm not scary in real life, but when I'm working I manage to make a lot of people cry and scream," she said.
Despite the harsh elements of the job at times, Shaver said many of the volunteers return year after year.
"It's like having a baby," she said. "It's busy, exhausting and rewarding all at once."
An actor for nine years, Josh Hall of Smyrna was once a 10-foot mummy on stilts at the haunted hayride.
"There is never a dull moment working here," he said.
© JENNIFER POPIEL @ delmarvanow.com
