Looking for a Halloween thrill in Prince William County? Then head to the Haunted Laurianne Woods in Gainesville.
According to event founder Ben Newman, the Haunted Laurianne Woods are located at 8233 Katie Lynn Court. The free event runs on October 22, 28, 29, and 31 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“Haunted Laurianne Woods is a haunted trail that I host each year with the support of friends and volunteers. It is a detailed walk through style haunt with creepy, immersive sets and lots of scares,” stated Newman.
The event is on its fourth year, and this year Newman has recruited volunteer actors from George Mason University to take part.
This year there will be six horror attractions in the Haunted Laurianne Woods including the “Laurianne Woods Cemetery”, the “Corn Fields of the Great Pumpkin”, the “Lair of the Spider Witch”, “Girrand’s Traveling Circus and Oddities Sideshow”, “The Bunny Man”, and “The Cleburne Family Plot” according to a release.
For Newman, the decision to start the haunted woods event was his love for Halloween.
“I started doing the haunt in 2013. Before then I had done yard decorations and displays for the trick-or-treaters, but it wasn’t until my wife & I moved into our new home with a large wooded backyard that I fully dove into the haunt. I’ve always loved Halloween and horror; some of my fondest childhood memories were trick-or-treating and seeing all the Halloween decorations. What I remember as a kid seems to be fading away these days. I want to put some of the magic back into the holiday and create the kind of memories for a new generation,” stated Newman.
While the event is free, visitors are asked to bring a canned good to donate to the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry, according to Newman.
“A couple [of] years ago we decided that as the haunt was getting bigger and gaining more attention, we should you that exposure to do some good. The event is free, we just ask that people bring canned food goods or make a monetary donations to the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry. We love working with the food pantry and they have been very supportive of our efforts,” stated Newman.
Parking is available at the commuter lot on Limestone Drive, behind the Gainesville Methodist Church, and participants are asked to park at this commuter lot instead of in the neighborhood, stated Newman.
“The haunt is held in a residential area so we ask guests to please park in the commuter lot on Limestone Drive. Also, please be respectful of our neighbors and of course keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. The haunt does have sections that feature blood and gore. While we do not restrict any age from attending it is to the parent’s discretion on what is appropriate for their child. We do hold a daytime ‘open house’ of the haunt on Sunday, Oct 30th from 2-5 p.m. There are no actors or scares during that time,” stated Newman.
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