‘Scream’ of a ride expected for Fright at Fairgrounds

Visitors are being warned not to scream as they search for “Ghost Face” during the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office sixth annual Fright at the Fairgrounds starting Friday.

The all-new maze features the “Dark Ride” taking visitors on a frightful dune buggy ride through the warehouse. When the buggy stops, the passengers begin the walk through where Creatures of the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein’s monster, Jack the Ripper and vampires lurk.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Capt. Joe Duffy said there’s only the one maze this year, broken into two parts; the ride and the walk through.

“This will be our best year yet,” Duffy said, “just because of the ride feature, I think that’s going to be a cool addition this year many will enjoy.”

All props are built and set up by deputies and the Search and Rescue teams, Citizen’s Patrol and Douglas High School leadership students.

“It’s really fun to see it all come together,” said Fright at the Fairgrounds volunteer Jen McLaughlin. “There’s a lot of talent that goes into bringing this together.”

As in the past the actors throughout the maze are volunteers, deputies and the Search and Rescue team, making it a safe place to bring kids.

Kids 12 and younger can experience the maze in the “not so scary” version with lights on and no “pop out” actors. The “full scare” experience is for visitors 12 and older or at the discretion of parents or accompanied adults.

“It’s really fun when people have fun and you get to watch that happen,” said McLaughlin.

Fright at the Fairgrounds is located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Gardnerville. It continues every Friday and Saturday through October. Admission is $5 for kids and $10 for adults from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and $20 per person from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Fright at the Fairgrounds will also be open Oct. 31 for Halloween along with Safety Street.

Safety Street is noon to 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Cost, $5 per child.

All proceeds support the DSCO k-9 unit, The Search and Rescue Team, and other special programs run by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and other charities in the community.

Watch the Fright at the Fairgrounds teaser on Youtube: https://youtu.be/LWZT-7w06gs