You don’t ordinarily think of August as being part of Halloween season, but in recent years it seems as though the tradition is beginning earlier and earlier. And what better way to get the season off to a start than with the annual Knott’s Scary Farm announcement event?
This past Thursday at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, thousands of Halloween fans gathered in the Charles M. Schulz Theater to be present for the ceremonial revelation of the scare zones, shows, and of course mazes for this year’s haunt.
Emcee Jeff Tucker kicked off the event by showing a “sizzle reel” teaser trailer made up of footage from previous years.
WATCH TEASER TRAILER:
The audience was then treated to a roughly forty-minute show, detailing what guests could expect from Knott’s Scary Farm 2016. The performance included some hilarious off-the-cuff comedy from Mr. Tucker, discussion panels with maze designers, and even some spooky monsters straight from the fog.
WATCH FULL ANNOUNCEMENT EVENT:
Afterward, the media was invited to a post-event lounge where members of the Knott’s creative team were available for interviews to discuss their roles in bringing this year’s haunt to life, and what they were most excited for at Scary Farm 2016.
WATCH CREATIVE TEAM INTERVIEWS:
Now let’s take an in-depth look at what was actually announced, with descriptions from the official Knott’s press release:
SCARE ZONES:
The Hollow (NEW)
The ominous Headless horseman prowls the fog-filled streetsalong with his army of the undead, treacherously blending into the shadowy night as they frighten all whom they encounter.
The original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, while the notoriously startling sliders, lunge from every fog-filled corner of the land.
Fiesta De Los Muertos
A fusion of dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone. It’s the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos.
On the Boardwalk, clowns crave your undying attention.
MAZES:
Shadow Lands (NEW)
A fulfilling life ensures a soul safe passage into eternity, but what happens to the souls of soldiers slain in battle? Enter the hair-raising Shadow Lands maze and fight off demon samurais whose souls are cursed to rot within the depths of purgatory. Guests will embark on a quest through a sacred shrine, an ancient Japanese temple and into the midst of the shadow lands.
Take a trip to a blood-soaked barn filled with carnivorous animals seeking to prey on human flesh in the Red Barn gore maze. Legend has it the farmer who owns the barn was transformed into a heinous creature that sends his sadistic sons to ensure his legacy. None dare enter the barn, for those who enter never escape.
Black Ops: Infected (NEW RE-DESIGN OF SPECIAL OPS: INFECTED)
Armed with cutting edge laser guns, brave guests will face off against hordes of zombies in the groundbreaking all-new Black Ops: Infected interactive maze. Small units of guests will battle the zombie apocalypse through blood soaked city streets and an underground sewer system crawling with nearly one hundred ravenous zombies. The high tech innovative experience thrusts guests into the middle of a live-action video game complete with live actors, real time scoring system, kill streak rewards system and interactive targets, including a juggernaut boss zombie. The new attraction is one of the largest mazes ever created in Knott’s Scary Farm history so form your squad and put your zombie apocalypse survival skills to the test in this action packed, one-of-a-kind experience.
The Haunting of Hayden Hill: Last year’s groundbreaking Paranormal Inc. maze will return to Knott’s Scary Farm this year. Featuring high flying aerial stunts and scares, guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff prowl for new patients to torture.
The Dead of Winter: Wendigo’s Revenge
Deep in the frozen tundra, the realm of a treacherous snow queen has been usurped by her evil minion, the horrific wendigo. She may be dead, but her evil spell hasn’t been lifted: The dead cannibals have risen from their snowy graves as hungry creatures feast on the surrounding villages. During the chaos, the queen’s prized possession, the horrific wendigo, has seized control of her throne, ready to prey upon any unsuspecting visitors who enter the borders of its icy domain.
Trick-or-Treat
Take a brave step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell… trick or treat, which will it be? After surviving her grisly welcome, wander in to the Green Witch’s never before seen potion room and bewitched attic. But don’t leave too soon; you’re the special guest at the Green Witch’s deadly dinner party where she and her menacing Tricksters await your arrival.
The Tooth Fairy
This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry. Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the massive tooth fairy, himself. Say aahhh.
Voodoo – Order of the Serpent
The haunting legend of Papa Legba continues as guests follow him on his foreboding journey to conjure the serpent demon goddess in the outskirts of New Orleans. Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes.
The Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises
Deadly howls and a full blood moon mark your impending doom as werewolves overrun the crime stricken old west town. Walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path of retribution against the Skinwalkers.
SHOWS:
The Hanging: Finding Gory
A live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy. Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year. A must see parody!
Elvira’s Dance Macabre
Back by popular demand, Elvira, the legendary Mistress of the Dark, returns to Knott’s Scary Farm in a spectacular all new show,Elvira’s Danse Macabre, featuring insane dance and comedy performances. The one of a kind performance from the Queen of Halloween will transport guests to a masquerade ball full of music, dance and humor. Knott’s Scary Farm will be the exclusive home of Elvira this Halloween season.
SKELETON KEY ROOMS: Visions, Zozo, Slasher, and Prey (NEW)
For the first time, Knott’s Scary Farm will feature standalone Skeleton Key Rooms that are independent from mazes. The four Skeleton Key Rooms will each feature a unique story and theme delivering unparalleled scares,interactive secrets and terrifying surprises!
Knott’s Scary Farm runs from September 22nd through October 31st. Tickets are available at the official website.