RECAP:  A trio of seasonally-themed attractions now resides on the former site of the CS Bell Foundry. Giant pumpkins are on display fresh from their 8-acre pumpkin patch, one weighing in at nearly 300 pounds! At dusk, the venue transforms into a more sinister Halloween environment courtesy of three different haunt-related activities including The Harvester Ride, Strawman’s Stalk Corn Maze, and a trail known as The Bell City Walk.

THE HARVESTER RIDE takes place on a tractor-pulled wagon, where monsters swarm the vehicle before it departs into the dark, secluded “4 Witch Woods.” The mile-long journey kicks off amid eerie warning signs advising, “Turn Back, Certain Doom,” and “I Tried to Warn You,” etc. Upon entering the foggy forest, a ghoul bursts through the mist ordering, “Get out!” then vanishes back into the shadows. Rumbling deeper into the woods passes a mix of static figures, lurking, live actors, and a pair of glowing, watchful eyes peering down from the treetops. A chainsaw-wielding lunatic jumps into action at The Southern Ohio Loggers, leaping onto the back of the wagon and slamming his noisy saw against the floor! Flashing lights hide additional terrors including more chainsaw maniacs, and a near-miss, broadside hit-and-run from a horn-blaring truck!

Climbing a hill lined with skeletal animal remains provokes the wrath of some sort of horned creature that hops aboard bellowing, “You’re all gonna die and beg for mercy!” A towering, 12-foot Wyndigo looms in the distance, while spider infestations culminate in a skirmish with a massive, half-human arachnid clawing down from an overpass among dangling human cocoons.

Severed heads encircle a foe bouncing wildly on a trampoline as the adventure continues past the shack of a voodoo practicing witch, where the spellcaster invites herself aboard commanding, “Get the children!” and cackles, “You children aren’t escaping me!” as we pass beneath a ghastly area of hanging babies!

Clown Town is up next, occupied with laughing jesters, and highlighted by billowing smoke, flickering lights, and chainsaw-carrying jokers. The madness continues through an area adorned with Jason Voorhees hockey masks, past a wrecked hearse and harvester, and a gathering of 12-foot tall skeletons with illuminated eyes! The chaos peaks when a deranged cultist vaults onto the cart declaring, “It’s time to sacrifice one of you! This will be your last night on Earth!” 

The finale erupts as Frankenstein’s Monster “Gag” threatens survival by igniting the night sky with a flame-thrower, setting the area ablaze, before making his way onto the wagon zapping and “shocking” screaming riders with some sort of Taser-like device bringing the experience to a pyrotechnic conclusion!

- 21 minutes, 26 actors

STRAWMAN’S STALK is best described as a 7-acre corn maze full of twists and turns, countless loops, uncertain paths, and deceptive dead ends! Depending on your luck and sense of direction, one can easily wander the grounds for 20 minutes to an hour or even longer before circling back to civilization. A few surprises lurk along the way including a couple of chainsaw attacks near both the beginning and end, and a mad farmer prowling the maze with a loaded rifle hunting for trespassers!

- 20 to 60+ minutes, 5 actors 

BELL CITY WALK: This half-mile journey through the haunted woods begins with the tolling of one of Elmer Dawes’ famed bells signaling the start of the descent into darkness. A fog-choked room begins the excursion shaking its very foundation as unseen fiends relentlessly pound on the walls rattling them to their very core before sending the course back outside through flying sparks, and past a shrieking ghoul hammering at a fence, and a top-hatted aggressor blocking the path.

Another brute slams a knife-like weapon against the metal, driving everyone forward into the night, where escape leads into Camp Kilmah, home to a slithering creature that strikes from out of the shadows! The trail twists through littered, dismembered remains, tattered tents, and overturned canoes while dodging staggering, gnawing zombies and a frantic survivor that bursts through a toxic dump shouting, “It’s inside me! It hurts! Please help me!”

Toxic wasteland bubbles with foaming sludge that poisons those bravely making their way through as screeching noises point the way into a hospital adorned with skulls that’s run by a deranged nurse demanding organ donations to save her dying patient. Gleefully offering up a handful of live maggots to “hungry” guests, she encourages progression into a chilling meat locker filled with hanging body bags, as well some unknown entity lurking within. Corpses and a ghillie monster lead the way beyond mannequin obstructions before the trail descends into The Plague, where a black-robed attacker embodies the Black Death itself.  Shots suddenly ring out fired by a blood-smeared cowboy wielding a Colt .45 that’s come to the conclusion, “There’s evil in these woods!”

Another ringing bell beckons approach and salutes departure from a building identified only by an ancient, fading sign with the word Foundry barely discernible where manufacturing is taking place, and molten bronze is poured into a 2-part mold to cast and form more bells, then it’s through a haunted cemetery, where spirits shriek, an undead corpse flees from its crypt, and a mourning bride whispers for her lost love, Elmer.  At long last, the route stumbles out of the terrifying realm of The Bell City Walk and through a pumpkin patch back to the safety of the midway of Dark Harvest Productions.

- 20 mins, 23 actors       

ANALYSIS:  Dark Harvest Productions smartly ties its story to the real-life history of Hillsboro’s CS Bell Company—once world-renowned and famous for its handcrafted bells. Now in just its second year, the event shows clear ambition, featuring three distinct attractions set across a large property that leaves plenty of room to grow.  The Harvester Ride would still benefit from additional buildings, props, and activity between scenes to fill its dead zones and reach the next level. Best moments include the horn-honking truck scare, fire effects, and strong performance from Gag and the voodoo-like witch. The absence of last year’s excellent “victimization” scenes and the presence of Hog Farmer Fred along with his trusty pitchfork were definitely felt.

Bell City Walk effectively taps into the story of Elmer Dawes and his tragic wedding-day demise. Atmosphere is strong. Best performances originate from the slithering crawler, stalking zombie, nurse, ghillie monster, and maggot girl. Stretches of empty walking would benefit from additional visuals, props, and lighting effects. Soundtrack has improved over last season, though some sections are still quiet while sustaining tension.

Strawman’s Stalk is one of the lengthier corn mazes around and is appreciated for its loops and dead ends, but the removal of last season’s passport, clue stations, and riddle solving hurts tremendously by eliminating the fun and uniqueness it brought to the experience.

Overall, good character dialogue helps to strengthen engagements and interactions. Haunts would benefit from increased development, the return of the cornfield’s navigational clues, and a bit more action throughout, which is hopefully in the works.

Attractions are open from 7:30 PM – Midnight beginning September 26^th and running through November 1^st. Admission is a better value this season with all three haunts being offered for $30 along with senior and military discounts. The property also offers concessions, vendors, and a seasonal pumpkin patch for guests seeking a more relaxed Halloween experience.

Dark Harvest Productions is still early in its development, but its foundation is solid, its storytelling ambitions are strong, and its setting perfectly suits a growing seasonal destination. Arrive early and spend the evening enjoying some festive Halloween-related fun!