Douglas County Sherriff’s Office Retired Capt. Joe Duffy climbs the Overlook Hotel to add a prop Monday for entrance to the Fright at the Fairgrounds.
This year’s Fright at the Fairgrounds takes visitors through clips of Steven King’s “The Shining” and “It” before choosing their fate behind three doors.
“There’s scary, not so scary and very scary, each door leads to a different experience,” said retired Capt. Joe Duffy.
Duffy and his wife Teresa helped organize the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office inaugural Haunted House fundraiser in 2017. Duffy retired last month.
“I do plan to keep doing this,” said Duffy. “It’s a great thing for the community and for the kids too.”
Now, in its seventh year, the fundraiser helps support the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit, The Search and Rescue Team, and other special programs run by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and charities in the community.
All props are built by deputies, the Search and Rescue teams, Citizens Patrol and volunteers.
“One of our guys, Deputy George Schramm, built the Ferris wheel in the carnival room,” said Duffy. “He built it by hand, it’s very cool and we’re excited to incorporate it.”
Also in the carnival room is the ghostly roller coaster, though guests are unable to ride it this year, said Duffy.
“It’s just an attraction this year, same with the Ferris wheel, but it’s going to be a neat addition this year.”
Other parts of the maze include an active volcano and snake, which Duffy said was refurbished from their Carson Valley Days float. Also beware of Nuns and Meghan the AI as well as Pin Head, Michael Myers, Leatherface, and more lurking about.
Fright at the Fairgrounds opens Friday and runs every Friday and Saturday through October and Halloween night.
A not so scary experience is 3-5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, cost $10. The full scare and main event is 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, cost $20.
Because of Trick or Treat Safety Street, there will not be a “not so scary” experience, just the main event from 8:30-11 p.m.
Trick or Treat Safety Street is also put on by the Douglas County Sherriff’s office and will be at the fairgrounds for the fourth year in a roll from 2-8 p.m. Oct. 31. Cost $5 per child.
“It’s basically like the not so scary experience, the kids can walk through with the lights on and trick or treat without anything scary popping out,” said Duffy.
Costumes are welcome during the Trick or Treat Safety Street, but The Sheriff has asked that no one where costumes while visiting the haunted house for public safety. Visit https://sheriff.douglascountynv.gov/news/what_s_new/2023_fright_at_the_fairgrounds for more information and a YouTube trailer of the Haunted House.
