The all-volunteer cast refuses to let you feel at ease as you wander from room to room. The undead appear behind corners, inside coffins and in the ceiling. I was fortunate enough to be taken through before it opened and met many of the cast members. All were excited and dressed the part to bring your nightmares to life.
While guests waited in line, Dracula lurched up and down the aisle. Kids would crowd against their parents as he refused to acknowledge personal space and stared them straight in the eye. Once you arrive inside the house the entire tour can take more than 30 minutes. Just when you feel like you’ve been frightened enough for one night, you exit the building to be confronted by some backwood zombies who follow you at a close distance. You cross a flimsy bridge and find yourself back inside for one more floor. Throughout the tour hydraulics, black lights, fog and strobe lights add to the realism of the experience.
Opens at 7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday through Nov. 1; Kids Lights-on Matinee at 3-5 p.m. Oct. 25-26.
1720 Glendale Milford Road, Evendale, Exit 14 off I-75, 513-771-1060, www.srsdeaf.org/events/hhouse/hhouse.html
What to Expect: A kid-friendly experience
What’s Unique: It supports a great cause and is more than worth the money.
The Damage: $10, with coupons found online and group rates available; $2 for the children’s matinee.
CityBeat Rating: PG-13
SAINT RITA'S HAUNTED HOUSE???! Has anyone else noticed that this place is named after a saint ... someone who the Catholic Church recognized as a holy and virtuous person who attained Heaven after death? What does monsters, death, carnage and evil have in common with a pure, holy soul?
The haunted house is based on the property. The money raised goes to the school. It is actuaally ran from an organization outside of the school. Some of the volunteers are from the school however not run by the school.