Before we get started, the park provided us with some great Scary Farm B-Roll. It even features our very own CoasterMatt and his lovely wife. Can you find them? 

After a 2 1/2 hour drive we found ourselves in a familiar place, back at Knott's ready to kick off another year of Scary Farm. 

By the time we got inside the park at about 5:45, the line-up to get inside the "Ghoul Time Theater" was filled with anxious Haunt fans. I'd be hard pressed to find another annual event that has as many passionate fans as Knott's Scary Farm. 

Once inside the stage was set and the fog started rolling in. 

With Scary Farm music coming through the speakers, Monsters roaming the theater and the overall jubilation of the audience, Haunt was definitely in the air. And it was awesome. 

The event kicked off with the one and only Jeff Tucker escorting out the one and only Elvira as she announced her return to Haunt, and she will be at the event every night of the run this year. 

After Elvira's announcement, Jeff welcomed four very special people who are no strangers to Haunt fans. Laura Hanneman (Knott's Scary Farm Creative Director), Timothy "Gus" Krueger (Design Specialist), Daniel Miller (Design Specialist) and Brooke Walters (Design Supervisor) to talk about the mazes. 

WHAT'S IN THE BOX!!!! 

All week, the Knott's Scary Farm Facebook Page had been teasing a "Box" and asking, what could possibly be in the box. Hopefully it wouldn't be what Brad Pitt found in the box in the movie Se7en (spoiler alert). 

What was in the box was the annoucement of an all-new "Scary Farm Season Pass". This is only available to current Knott's Berry Farm Season Passholders and is only $65. There are no blackout days and you can come to Haunt every night of the run if you'd like. 

You can purchase them here, but you'd better hurry. They are limited and will sell out quickly. 

After all of the announcements, in typical Knott's fashion, an amazing reception was held for the media. 

Interviews were available with Haunt Designers and Elvira but since we don't really have that capability we just enjoyed the evening, the food and hanging out with some great friends. 
I guess  we should eventually get on that bandwagon. =)

Food!! 

Once again, thanks to Knott's for inviting us to their event, we had a blast. 

Now let's get to the good stuff ... what will actually be featured at Haunt this year!!! 

Trick or treat, which will it be? Step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell. Oh, she is home, but where? You are not quite sure. Don’t be afraid, her minions will guide you. You can come away with a treat, but is it worth it?

New for 2014

• New scares in the dining room scene

The Blood Queen’s reign has ended, but the seductive vampires continue to lure unsuspecting guests into this gothic lair of terror. Ancient vampire lore decrees there shall always be one to rule the damned... Long live the King!

New for 2014

• A New Skeleton Key Room 
  (Requires Fright Lane with Skeleton Key Additional Fee Pass)
• New Finale

The twisted mind of Edgar Allen Poe comes alive as the “Forevermore Killer” works his way through one haunting tale after another. All the victims unwittingly find themselves a part of “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” The Masque of Red Death” among other horrific stories. Guests will want to catch up on their reading to stay a chapter ahead of their demise.

New for 2014

• More interactive murder scenes
• Re-imagined costumes
• More places for monsters to hide

The veil between the living and the dead is severed when Houdini’s ghost materializes during a séance and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes on his theatre. From the prop room to the main stage this dilapidated theatre will make visitors skin crawl. Will you be part of the disappearing act? 

New for 2014

• New Skeleton Key Room
  (Requires Fright Lane with Skeleton Key Additional Fee Pass)
• More places for monsters to hide
• New Mirror Hall

Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township. This journey back in time takes guests on a trail of terror through abandoned gold mines, a treacherous corral, a seedy saloon and a final showdown at town hall. 

New for 2014

• A New Skeleton Key Room  
  (Requires Fright Lane with Skeleton Key Additional Fee Pass)
• New scares in the abandoned mine

Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, but Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters. The purpose of his killing spree – human flesh to cover his twisted wooden body. Revenge comes with no strings attached.
New for 2014

• New Skeleton Key Room
  (Requires Fright Lane with Skeleton Key Additional Fee Pass)
• New scares in the final scene

Many years ago, The Green Witch uncovered a wicked source of power in the depths of the Calico Mine, and now she’s hell-bent on using this mysterious energy to capture and corrupt all who dare enter! With newly enhanced show scenes, lighting, and special effects, this not-too-scary mine train adventure is perfect Halloween fun.

This year Trapped returns with more rooms, more intricate puzzles and a shocking finale more extreme than any experience ever presented at Knott’s Scary Farm. You become part of the terror and are forced to face your darkest fears, confront your inner terrors and descend into the madness of a maze with no way out. Trapped is not for the squeamish as the challenges are darker and more terrifying than any that have come before. 

Reservations and an additional fee are required for this exclusive maze, which requires guests to interact with their surroundings and is not recommended for guests under 18 years old. Admission is $60.00 for groups of up to six (plus applicable taxes and fees) and can be purchased online [embed link] or at the Boardwalk Ballroom on the night of event, while supplies last. Separate Knott's Scary Farm admission is required and not included with the purchase of Trapped.

Beware the cursed swamps of New Orleans, where mindless zombies trudge through the murky bogs in search of bloody sacrifices and demons use Voodoo curses to possess innocent souls. Choose your path carefully children, for one wrong turn and you will be hexed forever.

• Skeleton Key Room
  (Requires Fright Lane with Skeleton Key Additional Fee Pass)

This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the massive tooth fairy, himself. Say aahhh.

Ghost Town Streets is the original and still most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog. Beware the notoriously startling sliders, who lunge from in every fog-filled corner of the land.

Fiesta De Los Muertos fuses dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone with even more characters than last year. It’s the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

The Knott’s Boardwalk is taken over by “CarnEVIL,” where the freak show is the main event and clowns crave your undying attention.

Just beyond the streets of Ghost Town lies the mysterious outcropping known as Gypsy Camp, where fortune tellers prognosticate future terrors, and ravenous werewolves howl in the light of the moon.

One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of the night was the announcement of Special Ops: Infected. Everybody was kind of puzzled why there wasn't a scare zone in Camp Snoopy but instead we get to shoot Zombies!! Really can't wait for this one. Should be awesome. 

Survive the Zombie Apocalypse in an All-Out War

NEW for 2014 - This ambitious new attraction is the first of its kind in North America and will challenge guests to exterminate the infestation of zombies who threaten mankind’s existence. Armed with specially designed laser guns, brave groups of Knott’s Scary Farm guests will embark on missions, led by their Squad Leader – a loud mouthed, take-no-prisoners commander charged with turning guests into soldiers. Groups must work together to fend off zombies and complete various missions before time runs out. If zombies drag their bodies too close, the un-infected’s guns temporarily deactivate, compromising the safety of the entire team. Soldiers with the deadliest aim will be celebrated with a tally of the number of zombies killed on a display board for other survivors to see each night in base camp. 

Special Ops: Infected seamlessly integrates interactive gaming technology with an immersive mountainous landscape, delivering a breakthrough interactive haunted experience that is as terrifying as it is challenging. Missions will take guests through a variety of wilderness terrains, including the unpredictable barrel bridges across the rushing river, through the dark caverns, and through mysterious backwoods. Six acres of the beloved theme park is now home to mutinous, scream-inducing zombies, and the time has come for a harrowing Special Ops survival mission.

Back by overwhelming demand for 2014 is Elvira – the legendary Mistress of the Dark. Elvira will headline her all new show "Elvira’s Big Top", in the 1,800 seat Charles M. Schultz Theatre twice nightly for the entire run of Knott’s Scary Farm. In her new show, Elvira becomes the Ring-Mistress of the Park as she hosts a circus carnival of macabre freaks and sinister side show acts. The show also features explosive dance performances by The Academy of Villains, who return to the stage in 2014 fresh off their appearance on Fox’s "So You Think You Can Dance?"

Nightly - 9:00 pm | 11:30 pm

ELVIRA’S BOO-TIQUE & SIGNING EVENT

In honor of Elvira’s return to Knott’s Scary Farm, the Ride Warriors merchandise shop will temporarily become Elvira’s Boo-tique, where fans can purchase stylish apparel and sinfully fun products featuring and inspired by the Legendary Mistress of the Dark. Each night, a limited number of guests who spend at least $50 at Elvira’s Boo-tique during Knott’s Scary Farm will get a chance to meet Elvira between performances of "Elvira’s Big Top" and collect her signature on one of the purchased items. Knott’s Scary Farm is the only place Elvira can be seen this Halloween season, and Elvira’s Boo-tique offers fans a once in a lifetime meet and greet opportunity!

A live stage show in Calico Square that irreverently looks back at the year's pop culture with some killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects and high-flying stunts, The Hanging® is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A must see parody!

There is also a poll on the Knott's Page asking who we'd like to get hung this year. 

To buy tickets, Knott's Scary Farm Season Passes, Trapped tickets and more, check out the Knott's Scary Farm Page on the Knott's website. And get excited, Haunt begins on September 25th. 

And be sure to take our poll below. 

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