Fun and frights: Halloween events serve up chills in Oconto County
As the weather turns cooler goosebumps appear more often on the skin.
Those who want to ensure some extra goosebumps can also attend some scary Halloween attractions throughout the month.
A variety of haunted houses promise to serve up scares, while elsewhere paintballers can try to fend off attacking zombies.
If a tamer spooky experience is up your alley, haunted hayrides and miniature golf are also available.
Here's a quick rundown of the eerie attractions that will help get you in the proper holiday mood.
Zombie Shoot
Commando Paintball in Abrams rolls out its ninth season of spooky fun on Friday and Saturday nights in October.
The main attraction is the Zombie Shoot, where zombie hunters ride a school bus, dubbed a “Zombus,” through the 32-acre paintball site, shooting paintballs at zombies roaming the land.
Randall Wolff, who took ownership of Commando Paintball in March, said he’s excited to welcome thrill-seekers.
“We’re the only interactive haunt in Northeast Wisconsin. There’s no other place where you can ride a bus and shoot paintballs at zombies,” he said.
A second scary encounter is the Haunted Trail through the Wicked Woods. The trail starts at the haunted mansion and winds through the woods and a maze. Additionally, adventurers can play glow-in-the-dark gellyball, shooting soft, gel balls at their friends on one of Commando Paintball’s 11 paintball fields.
Guests can also sit around the bonfire or test their skill at ax throwing, rock wall climbing or mechanical bull riding on the Zombull. Mischief and Magic will be on site for face painting, henna art and balloon animals, and DJ Shawn Rock will play music and take requests. Soda, beer and malt beverages will be available for purchase, and Bay Area Burger Company will sell food.
In 2022, 4,200 thrill-seekers visited Commando Paintball for the immersive haunted adventure, which requires a crew of 70 to 90 workers each Friday and Saturday night. Why so many?
“We want to be sure we can put on a good show,” Wolff said.
The Zombie Shoot begins at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights in October.
“Ticket sales are over at 10:30, and we close up shop when the last person is done screaming,” Wolff said. Tickets are available at hauntedzombiebus.com for $40 or on site for $45. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather, and costumes are optional.
“Bring a spare pair of underwear, just in case,” Wolff said, with a chuckle.
Commando Paintball is located just minutes from Highway 41/141 at 2055 W. Frontier Road, Little Suamico.
Revenge
The haunted house returns for its seventh season and final season at the historic Chase Stone Barn, 8246 County Road, Sobieski.
It is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11 p.m. through Oct. 28.
The 118-year-old barn will be transformed into “your worst nightmare,” according to its website, revengehaunt.com. The 6,000-square-feet attraction features an indoor holding area with a multi-screen video wall showing “Rave from the Grave,” a custom audio and lighting experience.
“If you love to be scared silly, this is for you,” said Samantha Boucher, tourism director, Oconto County Economic Development Corporation. “The organizers have been outdoing themselves every year, and we can't wait to see what they have in store for their seventh season."
The attraction is not intended for children. It uses various lighting techniques, fog, loud noises, dark areas, aggressive tactics, profanity, nude props and overall uncomfortable situations.
General admission tickets are available online for $20, while groups of 15 or more can get in for $18. VIP tickets where guests can skip the line are $30.
Kids day is 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 21.
The haunted house will move in 2024 to Pulaski, where their new building will be more than twice the size of the current barn, and they will have more time to set up the attraction.
Haunted Holes
The Ruins Adventure Mini Golf & Ice Cream, 150 Howard Lane, Oconto, serves up 18 holes of spookiness, along with fog, lights and music, on Saturdays through Oct. 28.
Skeletons, ghouls, ghosts and other spooky decorations add to the ambiance as players make their way through the course.
On the Saturday nights, the overhead lights get turned off, and the holes and balls are lit up as glow golf is offered.
The cost is $8.50 per person, while those younger than 3 play for free. Its hours are noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Haunted hayrides
BerryLand offers child-friendly haunted hayrides from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, along its east frontage road, 5687 Steinkraus Lane.
A hayride ticket purchase includes a ride through the decorated haunted trail and the ability to pick your own pumpkin in the field. Additionally there are picture opportunities and activities such as a munchkin maze and a ducky derby.
To just partake in the activities, games and picture opportunities, the admission is $3 per person on weekends, as well as Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children under 2 are admitted for free, but no pumpkins are included.
Visitors who just want to purchase pumpkins, squash, gourds, mums and cornstalks as fall decor do not have to pay an admission.
For more information, call 920-826-7297 or 920-621-1148.
If you want to travel outside Oconto County, here are some other options:
CAMP 5 TERROR
What: The haunted house promises plenty of creepy characters to scare you at every corner.
When: 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 28
Where: N10450 Camp 5 Road, Crivitz
Admission: $10 for general admission; $20 for VIP, fast pass and free lanyard. It is cash only. A "lights on" kids event will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 15. Tickets are $5.
Contact: www.facebook.com/Camp5Terror
HAUNTED HOUSE, MARINETTE
What: The inaugural haunted house by Biehl Bridges to Recovery
When: 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays beginning Oct. 13
Where: 3123 Shore Drive, Marinette
Admission: $20 for those 12 and older; $5 for children 11 and younger. A no-scare version for kids runs from 7 to 8 p.m. while the full-scare for adults runs from 8 to 11 p.m.
TERROR ON THE FOX
What: Terror on the Fox is a haunted event featuring a ride on an antique passenger train, video screens and computer-controlled sound, lighting and animatronics.
When: Gates open at 7 p.m. on select nights now through Oct. 31.
Where: National Railroad Museum, 2285 S. Broadway, Ashwaubenon.
Admission: Tickets start at $19.99 on select nights. Other nights they start at $24.99, depending on the pass you choose. Tickets can be purchased online in advance but the box office is also open on the grounds during regular business hours.
Contact: 920-360-9950, terroronthefox.com
BURIAL CHAMBER
What: Two indoor haunted houses, one outdoor wooded trail and four burial simulators
When: 6:45-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Oct. 6-28; 6:45-10 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4 for blackout nights. Note: Not all events are open on all nights.
Where: 500 N. Lake St., Neenah
Admission: $20 and up.
Contact: 920-727-4669, burialchamber.com
GREEN BAY FEAR
What: Haunted house presented by the Beja Shriners, featuring Shawano Manor, Howling Hollow and Mr. Jingles Funhouse.
When: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Oct. 6-29; Kids days are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28; The Apocalyptic Side Show is Oct. 27 and 28.
Where: Beja Shrine Center, 1950 Bond St., Howard.
Admission: $20 general admission, $25 fast pass
Contact: 920-309-0981, greenbayfear.com
THE REALM OF DARKNESS
What: Haunted house
When: 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-Nov. 4; 6-9 p.m. Sundays in October. Lights are on for Family Day 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 14.
Where: W2091 County JJ, Kaukauna
Admission: $20 general admission, $30 fast pass.
Contact: therealmofdarknesshaunt.com
Samantha Boucher and Mara Wagner contributed to this report.
Contact Kevin Dittman at 920-431-8416 or kdittman@gannett.com.
FOR MORE OCONTO COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website!
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Zombie Shoot, haunted house among Halloween events in Oconto County
