RECAP:  A seasonal hayride provides transport for customers from the ticketing area back to the secluded entrance of the WJAA Haunted Woods giving them just enough time for anticipation to build, and a little intimidation to set in prior to embarking upon the frightening adventure.  Departing the hay bales and entering the spooky forest discovers an old shack housing coffins inside that’s been commandeered by an infestation of spiders having spun intricate webs pretty much throughout.  Early entry into The Circus of Carnage finds Ringmaster Jinx and a slew of horn-honking clowns choosing a volunteer to “step right up” among the “Carnevil” games, like Eye Toss and High Striker, and prepare to be tickled!  A sudden surprise sends the course on its way through a foggy, dimly-lit maze containing a few dead ends, wrong turns, and even some toxic waste before climaxing through a spinning vortex!  A clown horde entrapment awaits accompanied by grandma and her shenanigans that forces participants to stick their hands in the glowing, “radioactive” debris.

Leaving the clowns behind leads through a fence maze and past a rock-and-roll band playing alongside a yellow school bus.  A scarecrow-like creature attacks out of the darkness before the path descends into a green, murky swamp that’s inhabited by a hog-faced marsh monster!  “Delusional” is up next – a slanted shanty, in which it’s difficult to maintain one’s balance, followed by The Chambers of Hell, which turns out to be a red, laser-lit, fog-filled, strobe-flashing entanglement that brings about a face-to-face conflict with Leatherface and his trusty chainsaw!  

An abandoned hospital is still to come, followed by Denny's Slaughterhouse, whose motto is, "All Flabs go on our Slabs!" and where a pig-masked, chainsaw-wielding tyrant joins forces with a killer wolf and more despicable clowns to gang up on progression Another dark, foggy labyrinth dumps across an unsteady, swaying bridge into another lightless building eventually stumbling upon a bio-hazardous zone where discontented fiends throw barrels of contamination up against a chain-link fence, thus making it next to impossible to locate the hidden way out!

Loud screamers fill the air as the trail traverses a wooden walkway compromised by a crazed, gas mask-wearing villain, that comes charging out warning, “Run for your lives!” and, “Eat the rats!”  A revisit with Leatherface occurs upon entering Fall Rivers Manor, an aging home highlighted by blood dripping from a faucet in a disgusting bathroom, and another swine-faced porker, this one eating someone’s legs as caretakers look on and scream in horror!

"The Belly of the Beast" provides a claustrophobic squeeze into another shadowy puzzle, and at long last, back into the woods where an eerie cemetery rests just outside The Fear Factory, a body bag-filled structure run by a chainsaw-packing lunatic!

More fog and spongy floors are still to come, as is a western-themed saloon challenging thirst quenchers to “Pick Your Poison!” and a horn-beeping, hit-and-run truck that crashes through a garage!  A hidden, secret passage chaperones the route to Crystal Lake inciting a dual Jason Voorhees, chainsaw chase into The Dark Carnival, a traveling circus comprised of The Creepy Café handing out free samples of popcorn, and fun games, like Basketball Hoop Shot and Ring Toss.  Sideshow attractions consist of Sloth Boy, Mystic Madam, and Pig Boy, and can all be enjoyed while waiting for the ride back to the ticket and concession area, thus concluding the annual festivities of The WJAA Haunted Woods.

ANALYSIS:  Now enjoying their 38^th season, the WJAA Haunted Woods is one of the longest-running haunts around!  The annual trail takes well over half an hour to complete making it one of the lengthier attractions in existence!  Soundtrack is loud and complimentary throughout, and the event is always populated by a large, all-volunteer cast of characters.

Favorite props and frights include Belly of the Beast, an extremely tight claustrophobic tunnel; the aforementioned, unsteady bridge; Delusional with its tilted room; hit-and-run truck; swamp; vortex; spongy floors; hidden doors; and secret passages;

On the down side, actors could stand a little coaching this year as many just stood idly by without trying to provide scares while others just screamed.  Costuming consisted mostly of street clothes; dialogue was weak as well with several just saying, “Hi” or “Rah,” and some seemed to be misplaced or in the wrong scenes, for example there was a pig-masked antagonist in the swamp, and clowns and a wolf were in the slaughterhouse.  Another had his mask pulled up and a chainsaw “chaser” just asked, “How’s it going?” without ever starting the saw as we passed him by, thus rendering the finish uneventful.  Lighting could also be improved upon as several trip hazards exist, especially at the steps exiting the swaying bridge, which resulted in a fall.  Overcoming these shortcomings would take them to the next level.

Cost of admission is $25 with Express Passes sold online ONLY for $40.  Parking is provided free of charge.  WJAA operates from dark until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays beginning October 5^th and running through October 19^th..

OVH always enjoys our visit to The WJAA Haunted Woods!  The annual fundraiser benefits the Williamsburg Junior Athletic Association, helps maintain the site's baseball fields and betters the complex.  Don’t leave without visiting their concession stand and enjoying some delicious grilled burgers!  Nachos, hotdogs, pretzels, soft drinks, and candy bars are available too, and picnic tables are provided as well, along with warm bonfires for your comfort and convenience.  We'll see YOU at The WJAA Haunted Woods!