Voted 2002 HauntFreaks.com's HayRide of the Year
ShocktoberFest
Reading, PA

Writen by: Cindy Smith
Photos by: Brian Kieth, Vince Suess, Skocktoberfest website

We’re happy to say that our 2002 Haunt Season did not go quietly into that gentle night… With the inclement season we’d had in the northeast, we had feared that the year would end with a whimper and were pleasantly surprised when it roared to life for one final haunt. The perfect fall evening, cool enough to require us to bundle up and reach for hot chocolate, clear skies with endless stars and a great haunt with talented people. What more could we ask for?
Deep in the heart of farm country, an area best known for apple butter, horse drawn buggies, outlet stores and Renaissance Fairs, we discovered a Hayride like no other…. The bastard son of Disney’s Haunted Mansion and the farmer’s daughter…. The BioHazard Hayride, just one of the attractions offered at Reading PA’s Shocktoberfest. This hayride was named HF’s Hayride of the year, and with good reason.
The grounds of Shocktoberfest are set up as many now are, with the additional charm of being set into a wooded area rather than an open field. There are vendors selling all sorts of snacks to calm your nerves and quiet your tummy…. A midway of games and a few carnival rides. Last year they did offer musical events, expanding this year to offer a DJ Thursday thru Sunday in the “Biohazard Building,” and another DJ on the stage outside of the Asylum. Also this year, for your auditory entertainment, they are adding Scareoke (Karaoke).
Of particular interest to HF’s Brian, a fan of old Dark Rides, is the Warehouse of Horror, an old carnival dark ride from the 40’s or 50’s that has been modified, just a bit, by it’s operator…. Just to add a little speed and a bit more macabre…. Finding rides such as this still in existence AND operating is always a plus to the enthusiast.
The House, “Toxic Asylum Haunted Hospital” was well done…. 600 square feet of hospital / asylum themed terror, winding your way through operating rooms where mutants are “dying” to eat, whoops! I mean meet you.
We’d had a great time up until this point…. But it was the Hayride that will live in infamy. The tractors are pulled by 4 wheel drive trucks, and after the rainy season we’d had, many areas of the trail were nothing more than a quagmire of mud, but the trucks got us through the 20 acres of twisted wooded terrain without a hitch.
During the course of the season, we had witnessed what seems to be a growing trend with hayrides, where the wagons are pulled into a barn, the doors are closed, and a skit ensues. It’s a great effect and one this talented cast and crew has managed to take up a notch.
There are 4 such barns on this ride. “Shocker’s Den,” where you are greeted by a “Stalkaround” (haunt prop term, large costume operated by a character who’s viewing window is located in the chest) who decides your fate… just a great themed room, medieval in it’s use of torture devices such as the rack of spikes located above your head…and the action does not take place only on stage. The “Water Treatment” facility falls on the tail of the Toxic Swamp area… and be careful, these mutants may follow you to your doom… but the most impressive was the “Biochemical Plant.” Not only do we give immense credit to the actor on stage for bracing the cold in the barest of costumes, but also the set itself was amazing. Action taking place overhead and underfoot…. though we just can’t spoil these effects and elaborate further. This is something to be seen for itself, and I will just have to say, after your visit you might think twice before you squash another worm on the sidewalk.
The final barn was the Sawmill…. Leatherface goes industrial…. Manned with the expected chainsaw guys, the room is outfitted with bloody blades and shop tools of the damned. Word had it that this year this area may be “beefed up a little” for the hard-core horror / gore fan, but we have not confirmed that transition has taken place.
One of the building facades utilized in the ride is the “Prison of the Dead.” In talking that night with Lee of Shocktoberfest, we found that this building is to be another attraction for the event sometime in the future. We have followed up with Lee over the past few months, as this talented crew also brought us “Zombie World,” a horror themed shoot-em-up ride located on the boards in Wildwood NJ. The prison would not be open again this coming year, expanding into projects such as the shore location, the crew has been unable to complete the interior to their standards.
Other scenes were the traditional cemetery scene, junk yard, etc. But all were done exceptionally well with adequate numbers of actors who did a remarkable job.
This haunted attraction is to be put on your must see list, and when you visit, please send them our regards.