Walls of Terror tour offers Halloween fright

ADVANCENSC@sbcglobal.net A nighttime tour of the Walls of Terror reveals an eerie "butcher Barn," lit by strobe lights and populated by gory sights.

The eerie season of Halloween is upon us, as evidenced by the costumes and bags of candy on the store shelves, but for those hardy souls who love to be scared out of their wits--look no further than the "Walls of Terror" a delightfully morbid woodland trek at the rural Dexter home of Scot and Angie Laden.

The haunted forest is the dream child of Scot Laden, who originally opened it for his 4-H friends several years ago. This year will mark the third year he has opened the event to the public for three weekends before Halloween.

This reporter made the tour several weeks ago, once in the daylight to take photos, and a second time in the dark, hanging onto Laden's arm so as not to fall over on the narrow path through the woods and the "Butcher Barn." The path is frightening enough in the daylight, but it takes on a particularly horrifying transformation at night.

ADVANCENSC@sbcglobal.net An abandoned school bus stands, abandoned by all but shadows and what appears to be bloody hand prints on the windows.

Laden adds embellishments to his haunted project throughout the year, and the attention to detail is remarkable. A daylight tour reveals snakes twisted around overhanging tree limbs, rusty traps festooning an old shack, and real tombstones scattered in the leaves.

Angie Laden shakes her head and smiles. "We go to haunted house conventions! He's like a little kid!"

Laden's enthusiasm is so infectious that he, himself, is dressed up as one of the characters, his identity a closely guarded secret!

ADVANCENSC@sbcglobal.net A daylight tour begins through a cemetery with real tombstones.

The remaining events take place on Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday, Oct. 24--and, of course--Friday. Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31. The tour begins at dusk and lasts as long as there are people there.

The tour is not recommended for children under 12. Several volunteers have reported people fainting.

Located at 9265, County Road 627, Dexter, Mo., the directions can be found on the Walls of Terror Facebook site. Follow the road through the bean field, along the narrow road through the woods. Stop at the big black hearse and wait for parking directions.

ADVANCENSC@sbcglobal.net A wrecked truck, lifeless during the daylight hours, comes to life at night! In the background is an old gas station, one of several creepy sets on the path to the ultimate surprise.

Have a frighteningly good time!