RECAP: The journey begins through The Fieldhouse door and out into a cornfield, where chilling, spray-painted warnings on the wall set the tone for what’s to come. A monstrous, pumpkin-headed figure stands ahead, peering down the path waiting on the arrival of incoming guests, and demanding an offering! Compliance, along with the recitation of the aforementioned warning, “From Seed to Ground, to Field, to Life,” reveals our fate, summoning a sudden, unexpected mood shift as soft, haunting music plays, and dense fog begins to roll in awakening the behemoth-like beast, whose bright orange eyes flicker to life, and his booming voice protests, “You have tried to tame me with false offerings! Your hands and sweat have not produced this harvest,” he angrily continues, “And now you will be banished to the fields!”

Escape into the rows of corn finds a frantic young man encouraging, “Come on! We have to be quick! He’s coming!” as he leads the way down a dark trail, where “babies” lay eerily on a table and appear to move on their own as a blood-covered girl clutches a doll hisses an order to, “Eat the corn!” Without hesitation, an irate chainsaw fiend bursts forth from the shadows for a shocking attack, the fleeing from which discovers a snarling, pig-faced prowler in search of, “Young children to eat.”

Transition into a dimly-lit funeral parlor interrupts a spooky visitation taking place alongside an open casket. Sitting to pay respects results in some flickers of light and an unforeseen surprise as ominous music fills the air! Continuing through a frightening graveyard eventually leads to an isolated structure illuminated by circus lights that houses a deranged jester carrying an ax! Additional frights occur in The Horror Hall of Fame at the hands of Ghostface (Scream), and life-size likenesses of horror icons, Chucky (Child’s Play), Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13^th), Regan (MacNeil - The Exorcist), Michael Myers (Halloween), Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street), Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13^th), and Art The Clown (Terrifyer) that culminates in another unanticipated startle!

Finishing things off is a performance entitled, “Britney Shears Live,” that witnesses the blood-soaked diva sawing up bodies onstage! When her song ends, she turns her attention to customers, threatens with her murderous saw, and issues ultimatums, “Don’t you think I’m pretty?!” DON’T YOU THINK I’M PRETTY?!!!” before chasing them out of her studio.

The experience concludes at a nearby lakeside, where two ghostly children, Billy and Mary, appear and guide spectators down a hill, where an intimidating Ghost Story is whispered recounting the true tale of a past helicopter crash at this very location that resulted in their deaths! Pointing to their tombstones positioned directly in front of us, they caution that their parents survived and roam the grounds to this very day tragically haunting The Field of Nightmares!

ANALYSIS: The Field of Nightmares was originally staged inside The Fieldhouse, but local zoning laws forced it outdoors. Some truly creative and standout scenes are on display, particularly the corn monster ritual, funeral parlor surprise, Pigface’s hunt, and the ever-entertaining Britney Shears! Developing more of these original scares is their key to success in the years to come. The attraction gets off to an amazing start that’s filled with intimidation, loaded with mystic, and involves audience participation! Lighting and sound are good throughout. Finish would benefit from some sort of action, or maybe even relocating Jason to the lake.

Britney is the star performer bringing endless energy, humor, and intensity. Additional LIVE surprises inside The Hall of Fame would score a stronger payoff. Supplementing the cast size would prove significantly beneficial as well.

This is the haunt’s first season at this new location, and it’s already showing strong potential. They’re open Thursdays through Sundays from October 2^nd – November 1^st from 8 PM – midnight. Cost is only $15 (before fees), which is just about right for a newer attraction trying to make a name for itself and establish a fan base. Tickets are available online and at the door. Plus, there’s a $5 off discount coupon available at local northern Kentucky Donatos Pizza locations, Cincy Shirts in Fort Mitchell, Whit’s Frozen Custard, and Guthrie’s Chicken! It’s absolutely worth checking out, just remember, don’t eat the corn!