RECAP:  A sentimental hayride provides transportation from the parking lot, ticketing, and concession areas along a torch-lit path to the entrance of the WJAA Haunted Woods.  The enchanted forest gets underway through an eerie cemetery and a toxic waste site before landing in the Circus of Carnage, led by ringmaster "Jinx" and a slew of other horn-honking clowns.

The dark circus consists of a foggy, dimly-lit maze containing dead ends, wrong way turns, and so on before climaxing inside a spinning vortex!  Heading back out into the forest guides the course beyond an old, iron gate, then progresses toward a school bus driven by Freddy Krueger that contains the surprise scare of the night!  Additional scenes include a green murky quagmire filled with swamp creatures and gully monsters, "Delusional," best described as a tilted living room, and the Chambers of Hell, which turns out to be a dark red, laser-lit, fog-filled maze connecting to a face-to-face encounter with the Devil himself! 

Other buildings explored include an abandoned hospital staffed by a treacherous doctor; Denny’s Slaughterhouse, whose motto is, “All Flabs go on our Slabs!” where pig-faced, chainsaw wielding butchers go on a rampage; and another entanglement with the only escape being found by walking through an upright coffin!  Crossing an unsteady, swaying bridge, the adventure continues through an enclosed zone identified as, “The "Purge," that finds zombies attacking and throwing large barrels that clash loudly up against chain-link fencing making it next to impossible to discover the hidden way out!  The CDC has been dispatched to the site, and has set up shop in a make-shift structure to quarantine and kill anyone that may have been bitten by the undead walkers!

Back out on the trail, hot coals must be traversed on a metal grating prior to arrival at Fall Rivers Manor, a dilapidated, aging home that witnesses blood dripping out of a faucet in a disgusting bathroom, and large childrens’ blocks spelling out “DIE!”  A tight squeeze through a claustrophobic tunnel affectionately known as “The Belly of the Beast" advances into Nyctophobia, a lightless labyrinth that eventually exits back into the woods and past a witch-infested cemetery outside of “The Fear Factory,” which is inhabited by caged, spark-emitting ghouls!  Scarecrows materialize within an isolated cornfield, and dangling body bags hinder furtherance onto the sight of a distraught nun with her face buried into a bloody cross on an adjacent wall repeating some sort of ungodly chant!

A near-miss, horn-honking, hit-and-run truck comes crashing through a garage preceding detection of a secret passage that chaperones the route back outdoors to “The Dark Carnival,” featuring free popcorn at a creepy café, and fun games like basketball shot, ring toss, and pop a balloon/dart throw, where you can win a live fish!  “Mystic Madam, Sloth Girl,” and a Ferris wheel are also found along the Midway bringing an end to the fun and festivities of the WJAA Haunted Woods.

ANALYSIS:  This is one of the lengthier attractions around, stopping the clock at over 30 minutes!  The sheer number of characters is always larger than the norm, and the all-volunteer cast energetically delivers quality scares.  Costuming remains a bit basic and features a variety of masks.  Soundtrack is loud and complimentary practically throughout the woods, and plenty of chainsaw attacks are scattered about.  Bus contained the most unique scare, while favorite props include the new "Belly of the Beast", one of the tightest claustrophobic tunnels around.  Spongy floors, sparks, hit-and-run truck, faucet dripping blood, and hidden doors and passages are likewise memorable!  Delusion can’t be forgotten!  The Dark Carnival is appreciated for its participatory activities and interactive involvement!  Best Actors are the aerial clown on the bus, chainsaw pigs, chanting nun, and the talkative Jinx.

The WJAA Haunted Woods is one of the longest running haunts in existence having operated for 36 years!  The annual fundraiser helps maintain the site's baseball fields and benefits the Williamsburg Junior Athletic Association.  OVH encourages you to pay them a visit for some outstanding Halloween fun!  And while waiting for the hayride, be sure to visit their concession stand and enjoy some delicious grilled burgers!  They sell nachos, hotdogs, soft drinks, beer, and candy bars too, and provide picnic tables and a warm bonfire for your convenience.  Cost of admission is $20 and parking is free of charge.