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The L.A. Haunted Hayride Celebrates a Decade of Depravity

Below is a review of the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park. Special thanks to Jeremey Connors for all of the photography.

 

Last year, clowns ran the show at the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. They’d long since been an integral part of the event’s chilling atmosphere, at one point even occupying a hypercolor church revival, so it only made sense to give over the reins at some point. This year, however, being the Hayride’s 10-year anniversary, a variety of demonic entities are on display at Griffith Park, creating a veritable “greatest hits” of terror, albeit a bit smaller than it once was.

 

 

ATTRACTIONS

HAUNTED HAYRIDE

The marquee attraction has brought back a few favorites of years past, and while the scale may not be quite as sizable as it used to be, it’s still the best hayride going. The novelty of scareactors climbing on the sides of the tractors, or scraping chainsaws against the metal of the vehicle, will never get old, as there’s just no way to replicate that horrendous sound any other way at a haunt. The set pieces are as impressive as ever, from a giant clown working an array of smaller clown marionettes, to the still jaw-dropping Hell transformation near the end of the ride. The stellar production value and the commitment of the incredible cast have always been two parts of the immensely entertaining whole that is the Haunted Hayride, and 2018 is no exception.

 

 

HOUSE OF SHADOWS

The House of Shadows hasn’t changed much over the past few years, notwithstanding a brief Ouija tie-in, but it’s still just as effective as ever. House of Shadows is a unique labyrinth in which guests wander through a series of twists and turns, attempting to find an exit, with an ever present strobe lighting their way. A true maze in every sense of the word, visitors can expect to hit more than a few dead ends. The constant strobe effect may prove less enjoyable for easily irritated guests, but for those unaffected, the disorientation caused ratchets up the dread a considerable amount. The House of Shadows doesn’t have much in the way of scenes, and the ones that are there are thrown together in a mishmash of spooky tropes without much backstory, but ultimately, it’s a fun diversion to extend the value of ticket prices.

 

 

TRICK OR TREAT

Since 2014, Trick or Treat has been one of the most unique attractions at the LA Haunted Hayride. Not to be confused with the longstanding Knott’s maze, or Halloween Horror Nights’ maze adaptation of the film, Trick or Treat is an interactive walkthrough experience. Guests wander through a series of scenes, each with a door for someone to knock on, replicating a bizarre trick or treating ritual. Some creatures may have tricks, scaring the hell out of hapless victims, while others will faithfully produce treats, giving out candy. What it lacks in the visceral terror of the Hayride, Trick or Treat makes up for in charm. The vignettes are often darkly hilarious, and for adults who may have long ago grown out of trick or treating, this is a wonderful substitute.

 

 

ELSEWHERE

The midway of the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride suffers a bit just from the scale of its surroundings. There’s a merry-go-round that seems to see rare usage, and Theatre Macabre, having guests comically reenact iconic horror scenes, is the only show to speak of. A handful of psychics dot the wooded landscape, but if there’s anything about the Haunted Hayride that needs revamping, it might be its non-haunt entertainment options.

 

 

CONCLUSIONS

It may have raised a few alarms when Melissa Carbone sold Ten Thirty One Productions to Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group in early 2018, but hardcore fans can rest assured that the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride hasn’t suffered a bit in the transition. The titular hayride is as stunning as it was a decade ago, and if Thirteenth Floor can beef up the attractions in between scares, it can have a serious contender on its hands.

 

 

The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride runs on select nights through Halloween. For more information, visit www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com.

About The Author

Tyler Davidson
Tyler Davidson is a nationally published journalist, having contributed to publications like Alternative Press, Hustler Magazine and The Argonaut. His incessant love of haunted attractions began in 2008, and has taken him to haunts all over the country ever since. He also plays a cult leader on TV.

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