ThrillNetwork.com :: Fright Fest returns to Great Escape

News: Fright Fest returns to Great Escape

By Drew S

Sep. 14th, 2004 -- LAKE GEORGE, N.Y., – An innovative blood drive, hosted by Count Dracula, and the area’s largest, hi-tech haunted house, will highlight The Great Escape’s annual salute to Halloween, more commonly known as Fright Fest 2004. Featuring a slew of spooky shows and monstrous attractions, The Great Escape will be transformed into a frightful festival every weekend in October (Saturdays and Sundays) from October 2 – 31.

The focal point of Fright Fest is the 15-room Skull Manor Haunted House, the most sophisticated house of fear in the Capital Region. Renowned for its unrivaled level of intensity and sheer fright, Skull Manor features a library that includes up to 40 spooked stuffed cats, adjacent to a snake room with more than 100 reptiles. The house will also include the ruins of a graveyard, and a judgment room.

In addition to the usual chills and thrills of Fright Fest, this year’s event will feature something a bit more realistic, a very special blood drive presented by the American Red Cross, Adirondack Saratoga Chamber. In a manner befitting the themed month-long festival, several ghoulish characters, including Count Dracula and the appropriately deemed Nurse Hatchet, will assist park patrons in the “blood letting” on Tuesday, October 5, at the park’s Bavarian Palace. In return for the “gift of life,” The Great Escape will reward donors with one free ticket to Fright Fest.

(The Great Escape and American Red Cross are seeking up to 75 volunteers to donate blood between the hours of 1 – 6 p.m. Those wishing to donate must make a reservation by calling 518-792-6545 before October 1. Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.)

Fright Fest will also feature plenty of activities for the youngsters to partake in this fall season. Those 12 and under can practice tracking down treats in the Trick-or-Treat Trail at the base of Ghost Town every weekend from 2 - 6 p.m. There will also be costume contests inside the Red Garter Saloon beginning at 3 p.m., rewarding those lil’ ghosts and goblins with the chance to pick up free passes to The Great Escape.

The scary shows will return to Fright Fest as well this year, including the Monster Mash Show at the Red Garter Saloon. This show will highlight ghosts and monsters reaching amazing heights. Also, Zambora will perform her mystical, magical, and, of course, frightening transformation act in Ghost Town. Freaky fans can also enjoy Hangman, an evening Western show that includes a realistic shootout and hanging.

Half price tickets to Fright Fest are available at Price Chopper supermarkets. The Great Escape will donate a portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Great Escape is open for Fright Fest 2004 from noon – 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon – 8 p.m. on Sundays.

No masks are allowed to be worn inside the park.

Great Escape's website.