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Before Los Angeles County health officials quickly walked back some of their Halloween safety guidelines this month, they made headlines that could be summed up as: “Halloween is canceled.”
It doesn’t seem that will be the case in Maricopa County.
Fear Farm and 13th Floor Haunted House, two of the most popular Halloween haunted houses in metro Phoenix, will open in September.
They’re operated by Denver-based Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, which says it is committed to “taking it to the next level” while “going above and beyond our normally safe and distanced methods of operation,” according to their websites.
The monsters will be wearing masks this year — but as PPE. Visitors looking for a fright are expected to wear face coverings, too.
Is it safe to go to a haunted house?
Maricopa County and the Arizona Department of Health Services have not issued recommendations on how Valley residents can safely celebrate Halloween. Spread of the new coronavirus is “moderate” in the Valley, according to ADHS.
In Pima County, which includes Tucson, health officials recommend avoiding gatherings with non-household members, carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, haunted houses, trick or treating and “trunk-or-treat” events.
“If these attractions are allowed to operate by the local jurisdiction, ADHS advises that there is appropriate physical distancing of at least 6 feet between patrons and staff while individuals are in line as well as in the attraction,” a representative for the department said in a statement to The Arizona Republic.
COVID-19 precautions for Halloween 2020
The Maricopa County Public Health Department “advises that those planning to celebrate Halloween simply adhere to recommended guidelines for daily activities,” a representative told The Republic.
These guidelines include:
- Avoid being in any setting with more than 10 people.
- Keep at least 6 feet away from others when out in public.
- Limit contact with those outside of your household, especially if you are in a high-risk group.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Stay home as much as possible if a household member has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Face coverings are a must — everyone age 2 and older must wear one in public in Maricopa County — and that goes for haunted house actors too. Fear Farm and 13th Floor will implement social distancing guidelines by placing markers on the floor and limiting lines to prevent waiting indoors.
“The attractions are linear, and very seldom would you ever come within 6 feet of other patrons. You walk the attraction in a single file line with no wandering,” according to both attractions’ COVID-19 safety procedures.
Here’s how Phoenix haunted houses will be different this year.
What to expect at Fear Farm, 13th Floor
The living dead, Bloody Mary, clowns and monsters will inhabit the attractions at Fear Farm and 13th Floor Haunted House this year.
Social distancing will be key at both venues, which plan to open in September.
“The attractions are linear, and very seldom would you ever come within 6 feet of other patrons. You walk the attraction in a single file line with no wandering,” according to both attractions’ COVID-19 safety procedures. “Stay a minimum of 6 feet away from all other guests, staff and monsters.
“If you think we can’t scare you from 6 feet away, just try us.”
There will be physical distancing markers in queues and throughout the venues, and indoor lines will be limited. Fewer tickets will be sold per time slot to ensure guests can remain distanced.
Tickets will still be available at the door, and credit cards are preferred. “If you absolutely must use cash, please see a manager upon your arrival,” the website reads.
Both venues are making efforts to reduce touching, and that includes being scared by the actors: “No one will touch you when you are inside,” the policy says. Visitors will not be pushing or squeezing through hanging props, either.
Face coverings are a must — everyone age 2 and older must wear a face covering in public in Maricopa County — and that goes for the actors, too.
“PPE masks will be worn under theatrical masks and makeup. We have some pretty creative costume and makeup artists that rose to the challenge of ‘masking the monsters,'” the venue’s website reads. “Halloween is all about masks, so wear yours.”
The attractions will be sanitized at the beginning and the end of each evening and there will be pumpkin-spice scented hand sanitizer for guests.
Fear Farm, 13th Floor tickets and times
Fear Farm: Sept. 18-Nov. 7. 2209 N. 99th Ave., Phoenix. $24.99-$32.99 in advance, $1 more on the day of, $3 more at the door. Add $10 for fast pass, $20 to skip the line. 623-866-5378, https://www.fearfarm.com.
13th Floor Haunted House: Sept. 26-Nov. 7. 2814 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix. $19.99-$32.99 in advance, $1 more on the day of, $3 more at the door. Add $10 for fast pass, $20 to skip the line. 602-456-2250, https://www.13thflooraz.com.
Which haunted houses will not open?
Terror Nights: Richard and Darlene Stoudt are not putting on their free, annual Terror Nights haunted house this year.
“This year, we couldn’t see how you can do a haunted house with social distancing,” Richard Stoudt told The Republic.
The Stoudts made the decision at the end of July, he said. They’re not happy to disappoint visitors who have been coming year after year.
“I was sitting there in the beginning of June going, ‘it ain’t looking good,’” he said about coronavirus cases in Arizona.
“We fully intend to be back next year,” Stoudt said.
Terror Nights is a “really fun tradition that (my mom and I) always look forward to,” said Jacqueline Bryniarski of Tempe. “With everything that’s happened this year, we were really looking forward to the scares of Terror Nights to get us into the Halloween spirit.”
“I understand the cancellation and appreciate the concern for guests’ safety, but it was still a major letdown and I’m going to miss it this year,” she said. “The owners and workers are so friendly and fun, and the haunted house never disappoints.”
But the Stoudts aren’t completely throwing in the towel. They will have a yard display that can be seen from the street or the sidewalk, depending on a visitor’s comfort level.
According to a Facebook post, their display of pulsating pumpkins, a graveyard and horror set pieces can be viewed from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 30-31. They will hand out candy as well. Their home is at 511 E. La Donna Dr., Tempe.
Golfland Sunsplash: The Gauntlet haunted house was supposed to return this year after “temporary changes” at the water park and amusement center caused its cancellation last year. But the Gauntlet’s return is further postponed by COVID-19.
“The best decision, unfortunately, was to scrap it this year,” Golfland Entertainment Centers’ Tony Jones told The Republic. “There is still too much uncertainty on what the fall will look like.”
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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