Volunteers thrilled over updated Haunted Granary

By Stephanie Koons

- skoons@centredaily.com

The Haunted Granary in Lemont has been drawing thrill-seekers for more than a decade with attractions such as the grain elevator maze, haunted bus and interactive skits. The event’s new management promises higher-quality entertainment and a variety of activities for all ages.

The Lemont Village Association will host the Haunted Granary and Halloween Bash Oct. 23-24. Funds raised will be used to continue renovations to the Grain Elevator and Coal Shed, which were purchased by the LVA in 1994.

The one-hour Haunted Granary event includes an expanded maze, a performance in the Hallocks’ “Dinky Shed,” two skits, a trip through the haunted bus and a visit to the witches’ domain. “Haunt artist” Heidi Reese will display some of her creations, including zombies and mummies.

The Halloween Bash, which will feature performances by “zombie” dancers, Halloween music, dance club lighting and carnival food, was added this year to create a more festive atmosphere, Haunted Granary coordinator Karen Trippett said.

“We’re trying to entice people to stay,” she said.

In the past, Trippett said, a rock band played at the Haunted Granary, but the music didn’t fit the Halloween theme and few people stayed after they completed the activities. Also, she added, some adults may prefer to attend the bash without participating in the Granary activities.

“There’s something more for people besides teenagers this year,” she said.

Trippett said she was hesitant at first to chair this year’s Haunted Granary, but as she got more involved in the planning process, she found herself contributing a lot of ideas. She also enlisted her daughter, Jenny, a senior at State College Area High School to help with planning some of the activities, including designing T-shirts, building the Web site, writing skits and staging the “Thriller” dance. She also designed a poster for the event and is running the short story contest, in which a winner from each grade sixth through 12th will receive a free ticket and shirt.

“It kind of evolved into my mom and I running it,” said Jenny Trippett, who has volunteered at the event for the past four years.

To prepare for the “Thriller” dance, she said, she and her friends bought skin makeup and outfits from Goodwill to dress like zombies and “watched the video a ton of times to get all the moves right.” Unlike the Jackson version, though, the students’ version is only three minutes long. They will perform the three-minute dance every half hour, Jenny said, and will “wander around and scare people” in between performances.

The event organizers welcome children at the bash but don’t recommend the Granary for those younger than 8. An event for small children will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at the grain elevator, where they can enjoy maze tours, face painting, mask making and other activities.

Haunted Granary guests are encouraged to come in costume and compete in the costume contest. Contestants will be photographed for judging and winners will be notified next weekend. A winner for each night will be featured on the Haunted Granary’s Web site and receive a small cash prize.

The Haunted Bash and Haunted Granary will be open from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23-24. A Haunted Granary event for 3- to 7-year-olds will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 at the granary elevator in Lemont. Visit www.hauntedgranary.com or call 237-7018 for more information.