Howl-O-Scream Begins Sept. 26 at the European-Themed Park

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - "Jack is Back," and he's bringing more fiends than ever to Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Howl-O-Scream. This Halloween season, the adventure park introduces a new musical show, a creepy maze and a daunting railway ride to its popular scare sensation. The Williamsburg park's annual Howl-O-Scream event kicks off Sept. 26 and runs each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 26.

Busch Gardens' eerie extravaganza promises to be the largest in the mid-Atlantic.

"Howl-O-Scream's popularity continues to intensify, and we've added attractions to meet that demand," said Donnie Mills, executive vice president and general manager for Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. "Busch Gardens becomes an entirely new park after dark with three scare zones, six fearsome attractions and seven shows," added Mills.

The ghastly adventures include new frights and old favorites:
- Sleepless Hollow Manor- Visitors enter a party in progress at the Van Tassel mansion but get more than they bargained for at this spine-chilling abode -- encountering such guests as Ichabod Crane, grotesque partyers and the famed Headless Horseman.
- Fright Lights - The Royal Palace Theatre lights up as guests are entertained with a spectacle of lights and lasers. It's just part of the park's "spook-tacular" variety of entertainment for all ages.
- Monster Stomp - Music and monsters turn the Canadian Palladium into a freak show featuring rock and roll classics.
- Festa Dementia - The Italian hamlet of Festa Italia is invaded by a host of circus gypsies and creepy creatures.
- Sea Dog Cemetery - Gravediggers, zombies and legions of the living dead prowl the hills of Banbury Cross' gruesome graveyard. 
· The Bone Zone - Skeletons have taken over Oktoberfest. Lurking in the landscape, these bony cronies will tickle guests' funny bones. 

The adventure park sends guests reeling from their deepest fears aboard Nightmare Express, where a disturbing dreamscape comes to life during the 20-minute train ride. Curse of Pompeii takes guests on an archaeological excavation gone awry and Distorted Dimension, a twisted maze, takes "clowning around" to a hair-raising level. Those lucky enough to survive can test their mettle on Twisted Terror and Mystical Mayhem, rides themed in the style of a demented circus. 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg's award-winning entertainment also takes on an unnatural edge this Howl-O-Scream season. A resident mad scientist conjures up chaos in his Transylvanian castle for "Fiends in the Festhaus." In the Irish hamlet of Killarney, guests can join in the fun of "Jack is Back," a disco-dancing party featuring Jack of the Lantern and his scarecrow crew. Or, guests can groove with the ghouls at the "Starfright Orchestra," where an almost- live band and zombie emcee jam to Halloween hits. 

"R. L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse 4-D" haunts the Globe Theatre throughout the festivities. The film features a seaside tale by the best-selling children's author with in-theater surprises sure to chill guests of all ages.

The world's "Most Boo-ti-ful Theme Park" transforms into monstrous mayhem after dark. Howl-O-Scream activities are included with paid admission. Not all activities are suitable for young children and parental discretion is advised. Ratings for each activity are posted at attractions in the park and on the show schedule. The park is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 26 through Oct. 26. For more information, guests may call (800) 343-7946 or visit howl-o-scream.com.