Event Recap: Knott’s Scary Farm Announcements

Do you feel that? The change in the wind? The shivers rolling up and down your spine? That growing excitement in the pit of your stomach as October draws near? Yes, my friends. Haunt season has arrived and what better way to mark the beginning then with Knott’s Scary Farm’s big press unveiling!

The team behind Knott’s Scary Farm, as well as some very enthusiastic monsters, took control of the Charles M. Schultz Theatre to introduce to their fans what we all should expect from them during the 2018 haunt season. There is quite a bit returning this year to the notorious haunt. However, the new additions, as well as the team’s emphasis on complete immersion within the Knott’s Scary Farm universe, will keep fans satisfied.

With that said, here is our breakdown of everything to expect from Knott’s Scary Farm:

NEW MAZES

Knott’s announced the arrival of two new mazes to add to their lineup this year. Prepare yourself for the arrival of Dark Entities and get ready to plunge into The Depths this year at Knott’s Scary Farm.

Dark Entities, as described by Knott’s Scary Farm, teleports the audience beyond Earth and into a realm where the darkness is absolute. In the depths of space, a lone station faces terror beyond all imagination. An extraterrestrial mutation has invaded the station, and it’s on the prowl for new hosts. The unearthly inhabitants’ force increases as it feeds on its unwilling victims. Escape the dark entities before its deathly force eliminates all living form aboard the station. There’s nowhere to escape when time is running out.

The Depths joins Knott’s Scary Farm this year in particular Lovecraftian fashion. Knott’s Scary Farm’s describes the maze as plunging us into the mythos of the mysterious story surrounding a missing mining crew. A heavy fog drapes over an abandoned port village where ancient creatures lurk inside the pitch-black underground caves hidden below the seaside shores. The Nightwatch Mining Crew has mysteriously disappeared and village rumors point to the eerie tunnels the town sits upon. Mythos of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed. Did the crew meet their demise at the hand of vicious creatures that live within the cave? Journey into the dark caverns and follow the crew’s path into The Depths and discover if the superstition revolving around the cave is true or not. But be warned! All who have entered have never resurfaced.

NEW SCARE ZONE

If you are wondering whether or not these new maze additions will be enough to keep you satisfied this season, don’t you worry, because Knott’s Scary Farm’s newest scare zone, Forsaken Lake, may be the star of the show at this year’s haunt.

Although teased during last month’s Midsummer Scream, Knott’s Scary Farm plunged the audience at press announcement into the realm of the Forsaken Lake with an outstanding musical performance featuring mourners walking up and down the aisles of the Charles M. Schultz Theatre. We were immediately given an idea of the tone and level of immersion Knott’s Scary Farm has planned with this new Scare Zone and, quite honestly, I am 110% here for it. I am now a convert of Forsaken Lake.

Forsaken Lake will take place underneath the Silver Bullet. Knott’s Scary Farm describes how the lake will recede to reveal the horrors and creatures it’s kept hidden, until now. Forsaken Lake will unleash gothic creatures, which have been ravaged by the dark and murky waters, as they wander from their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.

NEW SHOWS

With season passholders taking full advantage of the option to return to Knott’s Scary Farm multiple times, Knott is taking note of ways in which they can expand the overall haunt experience outside of the general mazes and scare zones they have established. They are doing this by adding new shows this year.

Replacing Elvira this year in the Charles M. Schultz Theaters is Hacks! Cutting Room Floor, an improvised comedy show. With the help of the audience and some old B-movie clips, the performers will create a memorable and unique show right on the spot.

Taking over the Birdcage Theatre is CONJURE – Magic and Mirth. Award-winning magicians and Fox’s Masters of Illusions regulars will be taking to the stage to perform amazing feats and show off their skills for audiences who just need a break from all of the scaring.

RETURNING MAZES

Quite a few mazes are returning this year. We are losing Voodoo and Tooth Fairy this year, but the Dark Entities and The Depths will be great replacements. The list of all that is returning is as follows:

  • Dark Ride
  • Paranormal, Inc.
  • Pumpkin Eater
  • Red Barn
  • Shadowlands
  • Special Ops: Infected
  • Trick or Treat: Lights Out

RETURNING SCARE ZONES

  • CarnEvil
  • Ghost Town Streets
  • The Hollow

Technically, this is not considered a Scare Zone, but the old Fiesta de los Muertos will be taken over by Awaken the Dead dance party. There will be roaming performers and plenty of opportunities to cut loose on the dance floor while taking a break from maze lines.

RETURNING SHOWS

You can’t have Knott’s Scary Farm without The Hanging. This year’s theme is “Shhhh…it happens.” Take that as you will and I’m sure you’ll have a grand old time.

Aside from the regular haunt stuff, we also will have the chance to go on the Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny with some new music and with very family friendly (and very creepy in my opinion) animatronics to guide us through the Halloween season.

Knott’s Scary Farm starts September 20 and will run for 25 nights through October 31. Tickets and season passes are on sale now here.

Sarah Musnicky
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