LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Several local haunted attractions are coming together to promote scary, good, fun. A new coalition is putting an emphasis on safety ahead of Kentuckiana's upcoming Halloween season.
The season of shrieks, screams and scares is days away. However, for the local family of haunt owners, it's already here.
"It's really just a sheer passion for everything horror and Halloween related," said Jason Besemann, owner of The Devil's Attic in Louisville.
Planning for Besemann is a year-round process. "A lot of times we'll have ideas on paper for two to three years before bringing them to life," Besemann said.
Actors, set design, LED lights, projections and animatronics are all part of the creative process. "That's what haunters do. We live by duct tape, great stuff and black spray paint."
They're going into their ninth Halloween. "The very first day, opening the door, we have a big sliding metal door. It's an old building, built in 1914. So, it's got a good creak noise and I love opening that door and seeing the people."
For him, it's always been about safe scares for the entire family. "It's like any other business. You have some good ones and you have some that are not so good."
Following some bad press in the past surrounding extreme haunted houses, he and other haunt owners are teaming up this year to form a coalition called "Scary, Good Fun." "We wanted to drive home the idea of safety and fun for Halloween," said Michael Book, co-owner of Danger Run, Legend at Pope Lick and Black Orchard Haunted House.
The coalition is made up of five attractions. They include The Devil's Attic, Asylum Scream Park, Danger Run, Fear Fair in Seymour, and American Horrorplex which is set to open next year.
Book said the coalition was formed with these questions in mind: "What is the need of the market and how can we re-educate the public on what haunted houses really are?"
Many haunts like The Devil's Attic incorporate floor security, off-duty officers and background checks for employees.
They're also extensively trained and know what to do in case a heckler visits.
"Obviously we don't want to discount the show by having an actor break character. So, we train them to deal with these folks, instead of getting verbal because that escalates the situation or physical, (because) that's grounds for termination right off the bat," Besemann said.
A fire marshal visits the approved haunts every year, making sure safety is a priority and that they have emergency lighting, clearly marked exit signs, smoke detectors and sprinklers. Without these items checking the boxes, establishments can't open for the season.
Those who make up the coalition have a "Scary, Good Fun." logo on their websites to ensure customers are enjoying themselves just as much as the owners and actors are.
Those who make up the coalition have a "Scary, Good Fun." logo on their websites to ensure customers are enjoying themselves just as much as the owners and actors are.
"It's in your blood as a haunter," Besemann said. "It's a very tough job. The actors have a very, very tough job. It's very, very difficult to do the same thing 200 to 300 times a night. Some folks come, some folks go, but once they're bit by the haunt bug, they're usually in it for life."
The Devil's Attic opens on Sept. 14 with many other haunts opening the week after.
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