RECAP:  An entertaining hayride transports customers from the ticketing area back to the secluded entrance of the WJAA Haunted Woods.  “You're all going to die!" is posted on a sign along a wooden fence before entering the spooky forest outside a demonic church displaying an upside-down cross on the outside, and infested with spiders within.  Early entry to The Circus of Carnage finds stilted ringmaster, Jinx and a slew of horn-honking clowns preparing to tickle an unsuspecting guest and lead others in an impromptu dance competition before sending them on their way into a foggy, dimly-lit maze containing dead ends, wrong turns, and even some toxic waste, before climaxing through a spinning vortex into a clown horde entrapment ruled by Bobo!

Back outside, progression leads through a fence maze before interrupting the performance of a rock-and-roll band playing alongside a yellow school bus.  The route next descends into a green, murky quagmire inhabited by swamp creatures, then bends through a tilted living room known as "Delusional," and onward to The Chambers of Hell, which turns out to be a red, laser-lit, fog-filled maze that brings about a face-to-face encounter with the Devil himself!  

The adventure continues into an abandoned hospital, followed by Denny's Slaughterhouse, whose motto is, "All Flabs go on our Slabs!" and where a pig-faced, chainsaw-wielding hog joins forces with a bloody, smiley-faced butcher for a combined slaughterhouse style rampage! Another entanglement is up next with the only escape being found by walking through an upright coffin!  Crossing an unsteady, swaying bridge accesses "The State of Decay," a bio-hazardous zone that witnesses contaminated fiends throwing barrels of toxicity up against chain-link fencing making it next to impossible to discover the hidden way out!  As the loud clashing subsides, the trail makes its way across a metal grating spanning hot coals that’s guarded by a hungry vulture picking at the eyes of a decaying human!  

Still to come is Fall Rivers Manor, an aging home highlighted by blood dripping out of a faucet in a disgusting bathroom, and screaming girls looking for their “Meema!’  A claustrophobic escape tunnel, better known as "The Belly of the Beast," advances into a lightless labyrinth eventually finding its way back into the woods and beyond a witch-infested cemetery outside of "The Fear Factory!"  Here, a chainsaw lunatic unleashes a violent attack in a room full of body bags!  A mirrored, fog-filled hallway provides a brief respite before spongy floors and a green laser-lit tunnel discovers a pentagram adorned building labeled Hell, where darkness gives way to flickering lights and a near-miss, horn-honking, hit-and-run truck comes crashing through a garage.   A hidden, secret passage chaperones the route back out into the woods where "The Dark Carnival" has come to town, offering free popcorn at a their Creepy Café, and fun games like basketball shot and ring toss.  Sideshow attractions Mystic Madam, Sloth Boy, Pig Boy and even a Ferris wheel can be enjoyed at the Midway bringing the curtain down on the fun and festivities of The WJAA Haunted Woods.

ANALYSIS:  This is one of the lengthier attractions around, stopping the clock well past the 35 minute mark!  The event is always populated by a large number of characters and the all-volunteer cast maintains their high-energy performances throughout, although costuming is somewhat basic.  Soundtrack is loud and complimentary all through the woods and scenes are appropriately lit. 

A storm unfortunately wreaked havoc on the site over the off season, so this is actually a rebuilding year for them.  Regrettably, hospital was unoccupied, and the route is a bit confusing at times with two areas identified as The Dark Carnival.  Two Hells are present as well, and too many scenes encouraged customers to dance.  Favorite props include  the "Belly of the Beast", one of the tightest claustrophobic tunnels around, spongy floors, hit-and-run truck, faucet dripping blood, tilted Delusion, upright coffin walk-through, vulture, lasers, and hidden doors and passages. Best performers include chainsaw pig, butcher, screaming girls looking for their Meema, and Jinx.  On the down side, several characters just stood there doing nothing, while others simply walked by going the other way.  In their defense, we visited on opening night, but still…

This has always been one of OVH'S favorite trails, and we’re confident they’ll get the bugs worked out by next weekend.  The WJAA Haunted Woods is one of the longest running haunts in existence having operated for 37 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!  Nachos, hotdogs, pretzels, soft drinks, and candy bars are available too, and picnic tables are provided as well as and warm bonfires for your comfort and convenience.  Price of admission is up $5 for General Admission this season, now costing $25.  Express Passes are now priced at $30 - $40, and available online only.  Parking is free of charge.  See you at The WJAA Haunted Woods Fridays and Saturdays, October 7 - 21, from dark to midnight