Fright fans get another chance to Escape from Blood Prison
Vic Amesquita, haunt manager for Escape from Blood Prison, promises an even better experience for fans of the popular fright fest at the old Ohio State Reformatory.
For the first time, organizers are offering time tracking. People can reserve a time online by going to bloodprison.com.
"We heard the concerns of waiting in line for a long time," Amesquita said. "We're doing everything we can to make your times a lot shorter this year."
Patrons can see how many slots are left for a particular time or if a time slot is sold out.
Blood Prison kicks off Saturday, with gates opening at 6:45 p.m. After this weekend, Blood Prison will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30.
The cost is $35 for general admission or $75 for "ultra lightning."
"It will be as close to immediate access as possible," Amesquita said.
If those attending don't get tickets online, he said they can scan a QR card on the grounds and pick their time.
Fans of Blood Prison can expect some changes to the tour, which takes 40 to 50 minutes.
"We've added a lot to our apocalyptic area with animatronics and set pieces," Amesquita said. "We have a World War I, Frankenstein's army theme."
The haunt manager said the soldiers are German, not American, which has prompted some questions.
"Germany's the bad guy. You're scared of the bad guys," Amesquita said.
Blood Prison experience will return to pre-COVID days
He said the Blood Prison experience will return to pre-COVID 19 days.
"We're bringing some things back that we took out for the COVID epidemic," Amesquita said. "We're basically back to the way we were before."
He took a News Journal reporter and photographer on a daytime tour this week. Music from the German heavy metal band Rammstein echoed through the hallways as workers put finishing touches on the tour.
One of the cooler set pieces is a plane that looks as if it crashed into the old prison. Scattered luggage adds a nice touch.
Another part of the tour takes patrons through a carnival from hell, complete with inmates made up like clowns.
"It's rough," Amesquita said. "Everybody's afraid of clowns, but they also dig them."
Patrons will walk over a cement floor, which is littered with empty popcorn boxes and playing cards.
A hospital ward takes up one cell block. The patients are not doing very well.
"It's going to be like walking through a horror movie set," Amesquita said. "That's always been the plan."
He said he has a really good crew of actors he hopes will stay on for the entire run. The warden's widow will roam the grounds and the house, accompanied by her two guards. Amesquita calls the character "iconic."
Amesquita has been involved with Blood Prison since 2016. He started his career in haunted attractions in 2013. He and other like-minded people come up with the scares.
"There's a group of us that are horror fans, video game fans, heavy metal fans," Amesquita said.
More than 100 people make up the crew, actors and security for the event.
"We are creating something that's out of our imaginations," Amesquita said. "What keeps me coming back is the fun. Overall, we have a good time doing this."
When Blood Prison ends for the season, he and his crew will scour horror conventions, seeking new ways to scare people in 2023.
"It's a year-round thing," Amesquita said.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Fright fans get another chance to Escape from Blood Prison
