| 2009 PICTURES |
The first of the construction
pictures shows the fence-posts for
the gothic fence (cattle gates) that I
created. Those 1/2" holes were
drilled 12" into the 2x2 posts. Rebar
was used to go into the ground and
the holes to seamlessly hold up the
fence.
pictures shows the fence-posts for
the gothic fence (cattle gates) that I
created. Those 1/2" holes were
drilled 12" into the 2x2 posts. Rebar
was used to go into the ground and
the holes to seamlessly hold up the
fence.
The pictures this year are not split up into catagories like previous years. Rather; they're in order.
Construction of props are first, followed by the Haunted House walk-through on event night, followed by
miscellaneous photos.
Construction of props are first, followed by the Haunted House walk-through on event night, followed by
miscellaneous photos.
The total fence is 8' long and 4'
high. I wanted the overall look of
the fence to appear like rod iron.
That requires a LOT of sanding! I
took a week vacation from work to
finish the 6 sections of fence... and
that still wasn't enough time!
high. I wanted the overall look of
the fence to appear like rod iron.
That requires a LOT of sanding! I
took a week vacation from work to
finish the 6 sections of fence... and
that still wasn't enough time!
Here are 2 completed sections.
The other project that I did was the
Corporate Sponsor reader board. It
stands 8' tall. I used Bucky skeleton
arms to hold 2 LED flashlights that I
converted to DC power (no
batteries), then put them on a
photocell so it they would light the
sign when it got dark.
Corporate Sponsor reader board. It
stands 8' tall. I used Bucky skeleton
arms to hold 2 LED flashlights that I
converted to DC power (no
batteries), then put them on a
photocell so it they would light the
sign when it got dark.
Here is a view in daylight. I was
able to have Iain from FTW Tattoo
on Bridgeport paint up the graphics.
Thanks to WalMart of Lakewood
and Precision Tune Auto Care of
Lakewood for helping to sponsor the
Haunted House this year!
able to have Iain from FTW Tattoo
on Bridgeport paint up the graphics.
Thanks to WalMart of Lakewood
and Precision Tune Auto Care of
Lakewood for helping to sponsor the
Haunted House this year!
Same readerboard at night. The
effect from the streetlight was
awesome. It doesnt show in the pic
too much, but the orange glow made
the skeleton arms look old and
spooky!
effect from the streetlight was
awesome. It doesnt show in the pic
too much, but the orange glow made
the skeleton arms look old and
spooky!
Heres the beginning of the monetary
donation box. The hole was cut for
a piece of plexiglass with a vinyl
computer-cut graphic.
donation box. The hole was cut for
a piece of plexiglass with a vinyl
computer-cut graphic.
The finished product. The graphic
will be lit with green glow-sticks.
Quite a nice effect. The inside of
the plexiglass was sanded to allow
for light diffusion. You can see the
other graphic on the floor to the left
that I used for the Northwest
Harvest food donation box.
will be lit with green glow-sticks.
Quite a nice effect. The inside of
the plexiglass was sanded to allow
for light diffusion. You can see the
other graphic on the floor to the left
that I used for the Northwest
Harvest food donation box.
Not the best of pictures, but you get
an idea of what it looked like at night.
an idea of what it looked like at night.
Here is the NW Harvest donation
box. I used the same box from last
year because it worked well. I
re-did the lid, and cut the hole for
this graphic. This graphic was lit
with blue and white LED's.
box. I used the same box from last
year because it worked well. I
re-did the lid, and cut the hole for
this graphic. This graphic was lit
with blue and white LED's.
Only 2 blue and 2 white LED's were
used. Aluminum foil was used to
distribute the light amongst the
whole graphic.
used. Aluminum foil was used to
distribute the light amongst the
whole graphic.
It's this time of the year that the
neighbors start wondering "what is
that guy doing?" Jeff L. donated
cornstalks and I hung them from the
carport roof to allow them to dry.
neighbors start wondering "what is
that guy doing?" Jeff L. donated
cornstalks and I hung them from the
carport roof to allow them to dry.
The 40' carport that I made last year
sticks over the property line.
Soooo.. I was forced to cut off the
last 8' section. This picture is that
section being bolted back together.
sticks over the property line.
Soooo.. I was forced to cut off the
last 8' section. This picture is that
section being bolted back together.
The plastic wrapping begins! I
really would like to find a more
efficient/economical way to do this!
really would like to find a more
efficient/economical way to do this!
Here is the beginning of the inside
build. I used 2x4 construction this
year because I wanted the walls to
be more stable. Again, a lot of time
went into just framing everything up.
build. I used 2x4 construction this
year because I wanted the walls to
be more stable. Again, a lot of time
went into just framing everything up.
When I originally received the
cornstalks, I didn't really know how
I would use them. Then I had the
bright idea of making a "corn maze"
room! It was the entrance to the
Haunted House. I installed a fog
machine AND a fan. The fan blew
the fog out to the front yard scene,
that way people wouldn't be choking
on fog through the whole thing. :)
Also, it set an eerie mood!
cornstalks, I didn't really know how
I would use them. Then I had the
bright idea of making a "corn maze"
room! It was the entrance to the
Haunted House. I installed a fog
machine AND a fan. The fan blew
the fog out to the front yard scene,
that way people wouldn't be choking
on fog through the whole thing. :)
Also, it set an eerie mood!
This is the falling wall almost
completed. I originally wanted to
have an 8' wall, but space simply
wouldn't allow for it. Not only did
this wall swing out right towards
you, volunteer William (and Travis)
had the bright idea of sliding a brick
when the wall fell towards you! It
was an awesome effect which
scared kids and adults!
completed. I originally wanted to
have an 8' wall, but space simply
wouldn't allow for it. Not only did
this wall swing out right towards
you, volunteer William (and Travis)
had the bright idea of sliding a brick
when the wall fell towards you! It
was an awesome effect which
scared kids and adults!
The beginning of the big night! The
first few people start to trickle in.
first few people start to trickle in.
Of course everything looks better at
night! Notice the tree on the left
that is lit from a spotlight on the
roof. It brings the whole house into
the spooky effect.
night! Notice the tree on the left
that is lit from a spotlight on the
roof. It brings the whole house into
the spooky effect.
Another shot at night showing the
yard attraction as well.
yard attraction as well.
Here is a slightly closer shot. The
NW Harvest donation box was
placed at the bottom of the reader
board.
NW Harvest donation box was
placed at the bottom of the reader
board.
Picture of the yard haunt. Notice
the glow from the fog on the left?
That's being blown out of the first
room (Cornmaze) in the Haunted
House.
the glow from the fog on the left?
That's being blown out of the first
room (Cornmaze) in the Haunted
House.
A new entrance was used this year,
just to keep things fresh and
interesting.
just to keep things fresh and
interesting.
The first room, Cornmaze. The fog
and bright light was a great
entrance. A speaker overhead
provided chilling sounds. The
screams from real visitors going
through the haunt was icing on the
cake!
and bright light was a great
entrance. A speaker overhead
provided chilling sounds. The
screams from real visitors going
through the haunt was icing on the
cake!
After the corn maze, the first turn
into the first hallway was nothing
but blacklight responsive spider
webbing. Ewwww!
into the first hallway was nothing
but blacklight responsive spider
webbing. Ewwww!
You are now about to enter the
haunted house! The following
pictures are in order. Consider this
your "virtual tour". (But believe me,
it's 1000% better in person!)
haunted house! The following
pictures are in order. Consider this
your "virtual tour". (But believe me,
it's 1000% better in person!)
From the eerie spider hallway to
your next turn you'll see a skeleton
sitting in a rocking chair...... that is
actually rocking!
your next turn you'll see a skeleton
sitting in a rocking chair...... that is
actually rocking!
And if that wasn't bad enough....
Through the flickering glow of the
firelamps behind the rocking
skeleton... There was a ghost head
floating in mid-air (3-D) that would
say all sorts of ghoulish lingo! Can
you brave the next dark hallway and
go on?!?
Through the flickering glow of the
firelamps behind the rocking
skeleton... There was a ghost head
floating in mid-air (3-D) that would
say all sorts of ghoulish lingo! Can
you brave the next dark hallway and
go on?!?
You exit from the dark hallway and
all of a sudden a strobe light turns
on, it's like they knew you were
there! From the end of a dark
hallway there is a huge ghoul,
suddenly it starts flying at you only
to stop right in front of you!
all of a sudden a strobe light turns
on, it's like they knew you were
there! From the end of a dark
hallway there is a huge ghoul,
suddenly it starts flying at you only
to stop right in front of you!
With your heart pounding into your
chest you continue on.... The next
turn you see a calmer scene.
Looking like an old dungeon in a
castle, you see some skeletons
laying on the ground, and a couple
of rats. You also notice the bloody
daggers on the ceiling.... Then it
happens....
chest you continue on.... The next
turn you see a calmer scene.
Looking like an old dungeon in a
castle, you see some skeletons
laying on the ground, and a couple
of rats. You also notice the bloody
daggers on the ceiling.... Then it
happens....
You feel the ground tremble and
hear the noise of grinding bricks....
The dagger wall is falling straight
towards you!!!
hear the noise of grinding bricks....
The dagger wall is falling straight
towards you!!!
You're hoping the exit is close, but
before you can make it out you
come across Freddy... But it's
okay, right? After all, he's behind a
cyclone fence! Wait! Freddy
swipes his knife blades across the
fence and they spark!
before you can make it out you
come across Freddy... But it's
okay, right? After all, he's behind a
cyclone fence! Wait! Freddy
swipes his knife blades across the
fence and they spark!
Congratulations. You made it! LOL.
Looking out over the graveyard
scene.
Looking out over the graveyard
scene.
Behind the scenes. Dad working the
ghoul ropes & Bryant (2nd shift)
working the falling wall ropes.
ghoul ropes & Bryant (2nd shift)
working the falling wall ropes.
Without flash. Notice the fog..
Canned food donations! 288 items
(202 POUNDS!) Thank you so
much to everyone who donated and
was a part (guest or participant) of
the 2009 Lawndale Haunted House!
(202 POUNDS!) Thank you so
much to everyone who donated and
was a part (guest or participant) of
the 2009 Lawndale Haunted House!
The aftermath..... Cleanup is a
HUGE chore and takes a couple of
weeks to get everything taken down,
organized, dried, and packed. See
ya'll next year! ?
HUGE chore and takes a couple of
weeks to get everything taken down,
organized, dried, and packed. See
ya'll next year! ?