Fright Nights, a new haunted house experience, launches in downtown Panama City
PANAMA CITY — The Bay Arts Alliance will transform the Center for the Arts into a haunted house, promising it to be the most terrifying haunted attraction in Panama City this year.
Jayson Kretzer, executive director of Bay Arts Alliance, said this is the first haunted house downtown has seen since Hurricane Michael in 2018, and Fright Nights will become a new tradition in the community.
"We are excited to be hosting an event of this nature in the Center for the Arts, right in the heart of historic downtown Panama City," Kretzer said. "With our great creative team and the amazing community support received, we have all the ingredients to create something really special for our community."
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Located at 19 E. Fourth St., Fright Nights will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 28, 29 and 31. Admission ranges from $15 to $20, depending on the night. Tickets are now on sale online or can be purchased at the door.
Fright Nights follows the story of the Raven Queen, a towering sorceress who some may remember from last year's haunted walking tour.
According to the story, the development of downtown Panama City has encroached on the Raven Queen's domain, the Ravenwood Forest. Now, she has stormed into town with her minions to gather the souls of the citizens as restitution for this transgression. Guests will have to weave their way through Iktomi's spider cavern, avoid the queen's hidden henchmen and survive Ravenwood's Carnival of Souls to help break the Raven Queen's hold on Panama City.
"We always look into ways to tie in creativity to tell stories or show arts, and this is one of those ways," Kretzer said. "So it's not just a haunted house for us, we're looking at it as an immersive art exhibit that just happens to scare the pants off people."
The entire experience is comprised of volunteers within the local community.
In addition, the tour is wheelchair accessible and recommended for audiences age 12 and up. However, it's suggested parents consider their children's tolerance levels for jump scares, creepy scenes and loud noises.
"Planning Fright Nights has been a new experience for us since we are creating interactive pockets of terror throughout the entire building," said Tori Haudenschild, education and events manager of Bay Arts Alliance. "It's been awesome to see the outpouring of support we've received from our community for this project."
All the proceeds will go to support Bay Arts Alliance's mission of putting art on every corner. Event sponsors include Destination Panama City, the Downtown Improvement Board and the city's Quality of Life Department.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FrightNightsPanamaCity.com.
More Bay County haunted attractions
Halloween Haunt Nights: House of Terror 3
Beachfront Adventures is hosting Halloween Haunt Nights: House of Terror 3 in Panama City Beach. This attraction is at 12500 Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach and will run seven more nights in October: 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $15. For more details, visit Beachfrontadventurespcb.com.
The Haunted Skulk Trail & Mr. Creepies' Demented Labyrinth
Swampy Jack's Wongo Adventure presents its first Halloween event, a two-in-one haunted attraction of The Haunted Skulk Trail and Mr. Creepies' Demented Labyrinth. The attraction will run on Oct. 22, 28, 29, 30 and 31 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Swampy Jack's is located at 284 Powel Adams Drive in Panama City Beach. For more details, visit Wongoadventure.com.
Silver Flag Haunted Trail
Silver Flag Haunted Trail takes place Oct. 29 and 30 from 7 to 11 p.m. at 264 Strange Point Loop in Panama City. Entry for adults is $10, $5 for kids ages 5 to 11, and free for kids 5 years and younger. For more details visit, visit Silver Flag on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City haunted house Fright Nights opens downtown for Halloween
