RECAP & ANALYSIS:  Brimstone Haunt consists of three uniquely themed attractions - The Haunted Hayride, The Bog, and Psychosis, all accessed from a central “Midway” area, which also provides additional entertainment options and concessions.

THE HAUNTED HAYRIDE:  The action-packed, award winning Hayride takes place onboard a tractor-drawn wagon that initially rolls into the Brimstone Penitentiary interrupting a hanging, an electric-chair execution, and a prison break that results in a straight-jacketed inmate and his jailbird cohort leaping onto the ride itself terrorizing passengers in the process.  The lengthy journey through the Brimstone Cornfield continues into a “Drive Thru Movie” projecting Night of the Living Dead on the silver screen.  Fire erupts skyward as the crusade winds its way past some abandoned farm machinery including an old combine and a Corn Head Harvester that suddenly comes to life and charges out of the field thrusting its sharp, pointy, elongated blades into the back of the hay wagon, colliding into it several times!

Progression beyond a series of staked, pumpkin-headed scarecrows prompts one of the mechanical variety to rise up into the air, then descend down over the cart inspiring the emergence of The Headless Horseman, who comes out of hiding to ride up along both sides!  Other hostilities take place at the hands of a Pig-faced Butcher, then in Crowberry Mill, where bodies are sawed in two, and Hillbilly Cletus and his chainsaw wielding brother hop aboard in search of, “Fresh Meat!”  Soon, a flame-spewing, caution light flashing, hot rod hearse accelerates onto the scene, crowding up next to the hay wagon and even bumping it on a few occasions trying to run it off the road!  Crazed clowns make their presence felt at a deserted amusement park known as Brimstone Heights, and Frank’s Body Shop unleashes some surprises of its own when a junked vehicle unexpectedly ignites into a raging inferno, and a goon with a green, illuminated headgear climbs on and finds a seat among the customers!  One final motorized chase ensues courtesy of a siren sounding, horn-honking Hamilton Township Fire truck in tandem with another pair of adversaries seeking revenge on those trespassing on their land, thus concluding The Brimstone Haunted Hayride.

Most memorable characters include Cletus along with his chainsaw carrying brother, Jailbirds, Pig-face, and of course The Headless Horseman, which is an amazing sight to behold!  Harvester, Hearse, and Fire Engine chases are all greatly appreciated!  Pumpkin-headed scare is fantastic the way it seemingly falls down onto the wagon to ensnare those onboard.  Use of fire is also an outstanding effect first among the abandoned farm equipment and again in the Body Shop.  Sounds onboard the ride are a nice touch.  One final impressive scare, perhaps in the form of an overhead zip line, would further strengthen the finish.  Nice to see the old hearse from The Springboro Haunted Hayride resting at Frank’s!  (It’s like a reunion with an old friend!  Great memories!)

- 17 Minutes

THE BOG:  The trail formerly known as Forgotten Forest is entered through a wooden doorway that accesses the woods and a series of structures resembling an abandoned, old ghost town.  From a Barber shop, to a Halloween store, to an old movie theater, these once thriving businesses now rest quietly among the “toxic vines” that have overrun The Bog!  Early warnings to, “Be very careful!” send the excursion on its way past the wreckage of a crashed airplane in advance of a chance meeting with an old drunkard named “Lester,” who invites groups into an old saloon offering to buy a round of drinks!  But alas, the vagrant has no money, thus the irate bartender refuses to serve anyone explaining that Lester’s already run up a significant tab!  After issuing an ultimatum that we pay the bill, he then helps himself to a shot of whiskey!  

Wooden, plank-like walkways and spooky lighting bridge the path into a slanted shack occupied by a lonely, old woman, while other scenes visit the 1031 garage, and a birthday party hosted by a Teddy Bear armed with a meat cleaver wanting to cut up passersby and turn them into his own personal celebratory cake!

Missing persons posters identify children that have turned up absent from The East Pines School, where a bully emerges from a desolate locker area demanding to confiscate your lunch money!  Navigating through Brimstone Die (not High) School bus #69 irritates the driver, who angrily orders, “Get off my bus!  You’re too old for school!”  Disembarking into an eerie cemetery discovers tombstones honoring Frankenstein and The Springboro Haunt, and explores a frightening mausoleum featuring upright caskets containing skeletal remains, as well as a mechanical ghost that vaults directly outward as guests make their way past!

Another building stumbles upon a distempered hag clutching onto her boney pet dog while protecting a bowl of candy from Trick-or-Treaters exclaiming, “Don’t touch my candy!”  From there, it’s onto an asylum-like, psychotic hospital that houses infuriated, insane patients screaming and declaring their desire to, “Slice your nose off your face!  The horrific facility’s operated by a demented, voodoo-like doctor seeking additional admissions, and asserting that she, “Specializes in everything!”

Piercing alarms blast the route through toxic waste, then the familiar, traditional melody of Turkey in the Straw beckons the way to a nearby ice cream truck that’s serving up not-so-innocent vanilla cones hiding razor-sharp knives!  This certainly isn’t the Good Humor man!

Finally, a sinister-looking mirror having “smile” written on it in blood points the way to a menacing circus inhabited by a goofy clown crawling along a spinning vortex attempting to steal everyone’s shoes, followed by a sudden run-in with Pennywise bringing about the eventual escape from The Bog.

Lester did a fantastic job portraying the town drunk!  Other notable performers include Teddy Bear, Ice Cream man, insane girl and asylum doctor.  Soundtrack is excellent and most complimentary.  Ice Cream Truck music is recognizably appreciated.  Lighting is very well done and construction is authentic.  Additional fog is needed to enhance the atmospheric effect and finish would benefit from a stronger climax.

- 18 Minutes

PSYCHOSIS: This mostly indoor experience gets underway inside a vibrating elevator that rocks and shakes its way “downward” into Tunnel 6 where lightlessness contributes to emotional unrest.  Obstacles appear out of nowhere including an enormous, spinning circular saw that lunges out into the pathway, nearly cutting into your torso!  Mechanical incursions project from walls, etc.; a hooded, jailhouse-style, electric chair execution is witnessed amid flickering lights and blaring sirens; and a conflict with a metallic, blue-eyed robot must be avoided as the course continues through a claustrophobic passage.  Disputes with a fiend having a saw blade for a hand and another well-hidden antagonist produce unexpected jump scares in advance of a medical mishap that observes a diabolical doctor drilling into a helpless patient!  Body bags and a near-miss, horn-honking hit-and-run are still to come prior to the adventure climaxing with a deadly chainsaw chase-out of Psychosis!

Saw-handed rival and his accomplice are the most memorable characters.  Chainsaw assailant also does a good job!  Sounds are appropriate and loud.  Elevator, rotating table saw, robot, and claustrophobia are the best props.

- 8 Minutes

MIDWAY:  In addition to serving as a central access point for Brimstone’s haunted attractions, The Midway also offers concessions, drinks, and a picnic area, in addition to some other on-sight entertainment options:  Zombie Assault, an apocalyptic virtual reality experience; Dead Shot, a paint ball, zombie horde shooting gallery; Axe Throwing (self-explanatory); and Cranium Crusher, a game where a hammer is used to launch "brains" back inside a zombie's skull.

OVERALL:  Brimstone has a magnificent setup with plenty of parking and a festive atmosphere.  Anchored by three distinctively different haunted attractions, the venue unites food, beverages (including beer), a Gift Shop, and optional participation style activities all at the same location.  Online tickets range from $22.99 for a single attraction up to $64.99 for their Fast Pass Ultimate package that includes unlimited VIP entry to all three haunts as well as unlimited access to all Midway experiences.  The Unlimited Attractions ticket is a tremendous value costing $36.99 (online) and might be the best way to go.  This Halloween season, plan on spending a night at Brimstone Haunt!