Dr. Bob Spalding poses with Buford Bat, star of the puppet show, which is one of many attractions at the newly revived Haunted Monster Barn on his Signal Mountain property that many residents may remember from 2003-2006. The Haunted Monster Barn returns this year Friday, Oct. 14.
Photo by Emily CrismanDr. Spalding's Spooky Foot Productions is bringing The Haunted Monster Barn back from the grave as a fundraiser for the MACC Foundation and is seeking volunteers to help with the popular Signal spook house's return. This year's event will be held Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 14-Nov. 5 and Sunday and Monday, Oct. 30 and 31, from 7:30-10:45 p.m.
Located on the property of Signal Mountain podiatrist Dr. Bob Spalding adjacent to Nolan Elementary, The Haunted Monster Barn features a 10-room spook house, a haunted forest for young children, a "Buford Bat" puppet show, a light show and bonfire for a $10 admission charge.
"We kept $20,000 worth of props in storage because we thought we would bring it back in some fashion," said Spalding, who was contacted by the MACC Foundation with a request to be part of the project's resurrection.
Last held in 2006, The Haunted Monster Barn previously benefited the Signal Mountain Lions Club, which provided many of the 30 volunteers required to run the haunted house each night.
Instead of being held in the Spalding's barn as in years past, the majority of this year's spook house will be held in a semi-circular elevated tunnel currently under construction for the occasion as well as future holiday and seasonal use. He said the new structure will require minimal effort for setup and cleanup once it's complete, and also provides more opportunity for effects such as trap doors.
"We were trying to figure out a way to bring it back without having to put it up or tear it down to the extent that we did," said Spalding, who credits the extensive amount of work involved with preparation and cleanup for The Haunted Monster Barn's demise in 2006.
He said more automated props will be used in this year's spook house in order to decrease the number of volunteers needed to around 20 per night.
Adult volunteers age 18 and older are currently being sought to serve as actors, guides and security personnel to help with the flow of traffic.
"We're going to use a few younger people in supporting roles, cleaning up and setting up props," he said.
Actors supply their own costumes, which must be approved, said Spalding. A rehearsal will be held Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
Parking for the event is at Nolan Elementary, and additional dates may be posted online here.