Another warm October night in north Alabama. A waning silver moon hung low in the sky as my wife and I arrived at the Haunted House of Horror 2021 in Courtland, Alabama, about 20 minutes West of the city of Decatur. The parking area, a large grassy field adjacent to the haunt, was filling quickly, promising a lively show. A short walk later and we were in the gym of the old Courtland High School, the home of the Haunted House of Horror for eleven years.

Haunted House of Horror 2021 is a traditional, linear-styled haunted maze that runs about twenty or so minutes. General admission for the event is $20. VIP tickets, which allow patrons to skip right to the front of the line, are available for $40. A waiting system is used, allowing haunt customers to hang out on the bleachers, watch the movie playing on the back wall, and buy snacks at the concession stand instead of standing in line, which is a nice addition.

When we reached the entry gate, we were added to a group of four teenagers, who led the way into the haunt with trepidation, paralyzed and unable to cross the threshold of the first door, until they gathered their courage… and walked into a room with a chainsaw-wielding maniac. The tone was set for the rest of our journey through the Haunted House of Horror 2021.

Horror is the overarching theme of this attraction. One expression of horror after another. Not scared of chainsaws? How about clowns? No? Then try a creepy kid in a room full of dolls and dismembered doll parts.

This is a large haunt, yet we were spaced out so that we never ran into the group in front of us, nor did the group behind us catch up to us—even at the frightened pace of the teenagers accompanying us. The sets were great, mixing live actors, animatronics, props, and decor in detailed scenes that are illuminated just enough to invite further examination – if you aren’t trying to keep up with four screaming teenagers.

Following the conclusion of the experience, we sat down to list the memorable rooms of this haunt. We identified the following three as our favorite: The Michael Myers actor that kept appearing, silently of course, at every corner and curtain for the first few minutes of the walk prompting jumps and shouts from the group every time. The girl in the doll room, who offered sweet invitations such as “Do you like my dolls?” and “Do you want to play?” then suddenly transformed into a small fury of blood curdling screams. Then there were the clowns. Haunted House of Horror 2021 is particularly proud of their clowns. There were at least three tonight, though it was hard to tell. They move quickly, popping in and out of the haunt throughout, appearing as if they were greater in number. With several colorful rooms to contain their antics, they are persistent and follow their favorite victims with a moving barrage of taunts and threats.

After we exited, I asked our temporary traveling companions what they thought.

“It was great!” was the unanimous response.

We ducked back into the waiting area to take a few pictures and see who was available to chat. We were quickly joined by owner-operators Stephanie and Brian Knipper. In a few moments, it became clear that Haunted House of Horror 2021 is a labor of love and a passion for their family. Stephanie laughed as she explained that her daughters, Savannah and Sydney, grew up in an environment of haunted house gore, props, and acting. Savannah is now a make-up artist for the haunt, and Sydney was running the ticket window tonight.

Stephanie and Brian described the year-round work on their haunt, and the burst of activity over the summer to get ready for opening in the fall. COVID-19 has not taken the toll on their business that it has on others, Stephanie explained as she knocked on the wood floor of the old basketball court but keeping the aging former high school fit for operation is becoming a growing challenge.

When I asked about their future plans, the answer was quick and clear: Whether at the current location, or a new spot nearby, Haunted House of Horror 2021 is here to stay.

For more information about Haunted House of Horror 2021, check out their website and Facebook page. For more immersive events, check out our Event Calendar.

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Haunted House of Horror 2021 is a walk-through haunt in Courtland, Alabama.