Fear Fair (Seymour, IN)
“Zee Doctor Is Ready”
By Noah Wullkotte: Jollypumpkin@aol.com
Fear Fair in Seymour, Indiana takes place in the WWII former US Army Barracks in Freeman Field Municipal Airport. Freeman Field became the first USAAF helicopter training school in June 1944. Black aviators, including a group of Tuskegee Airmen, trained at Freeman Field. In 1945 black officers tried to integrate an officer’s club in what would eventually be known as the Freeman Field Mutany. It would be regarded as a big step toward full integration of the armed forces. On December 30th 1948 Freeman Field was officially closed. It was deactivated in November 1948. Before it was unfortunately shut down, Freeman Field was used for storing various German and Italian aircraft.
In 2011 the haunted attraction Fear Fair is playing somewhat of a homage to Freeman Field and has incorporated elements of its history into the massive haunt. The first few minutes of Fear Fair is non stop action where you’ll be on the edge of your seat while you enter Hanger 17. Something has horribly gone wrong and the place has been infected. The first room features a short history of Freeman Field with some intense surprises. A CGI door with a soldier can be seen on the left as he fires at the door and bullet marks can be seen piercing the metal. Soldiers storm the scene as a grenade is thrown at your feet. A loud pop can be heard as you exit the room. You have survived, but your adventure is far from over.
You’ll venture outside where a massive monster has burst through the wail as it watches over a military vehicle. From there you’ll walk onto a violent moving cargo train. Fear Fair is a very bumpy ride with some of the most intense scenes I’ve ever experienced inside a haunt. Fear Fair’s Film Fest returns this year and is better than ever. Grab some Good ‘N Plenty and enter the Fear Fair theater where nothing is what you expect and anything and everything is possible. Fear Fair’s authentic looking theater features a concession stand, old fashioned movie theater seats and one crazy looking usher. Watch out for the ghouls that are waiting for you inside Fear Fair’s frightening Film Fest. Enter the long claustrophobia tunnel that transitions from light to darkness and get ready for the chaos that is Fear Fair.
As I’ve said for many years, Fear Fair has the most authentic horror movie scenes that the haunt industry has ever seen. I’ve toured hundreds of haunts over the years, and the attention to detail at this haunt is beyond belief. You’ll feel like you’re part of your favorite horror movie and hopefully you’ll escape in one piece. Fear Fair plays tribute to classic horror movies and horror favorites from the modern era. If you have a favorite horror flick, then Fear Fair has probably built a set for it. Horror movies dating back to the 1930’s-2000’s are present at this Seymour classic.
The new laboratory has been rebuilt and features some amazing detail. Frankenstein’s monster is strapped to a table as he suddenly comes alive. Doctor Victor Strassheim is ready to squirt you with his special serum from Igor’s hump as the humble servant waits for you near the loud and violent Tesla Coil. This is an amazing scene with real looking stone walls and just the right amount of lighting to make it scary. Fear Fair isn’t only about the black and white classics. There are plenty of horror movie recreations that will bring back fond memories for those who grew up in the 1980’s and beyond. Everything from Hellraiser to Scream is recreated at Fear Fair
New this year is the new and improved Camp Crystal Lake. You’ll exit a building where you’re suddenly outside surrounded by camping tents and spooky woods. A camper cries out for your help when Jason Vorhees emerges and grabs the young man as he yells “Oh Shit”. A sleeping bag can be seen hung over a hot fire as a victim screams in terror while she’s stuck in the sleeping bag and roasts like a marshmallow.
For 2011, Fear Fair has played homage to A Nightmare on Elm Street throughout the decades. If you remember this 1984 Wes Craven classic, then you’re in for a real treat at Fear Fair. The 2010 version of Freddy Krueger can be viewed in the boiler room that features pipes that actually produce steam. The 1984 version of A Nightmare on Elm Street focuses on the bathroom scene with Nancy Thompson. A nude woman lays in the water as mechanical Freddy Krueger claws/glove tries to strike her.
Now, this review isn’t about giving away every little detail about this incredible haunt. But, I will give you an idea of what Fear Fair has to offer in the way of thrills and chills. Fear Fair Film Fest is pretty amazing especially if you’re a big horror movie buff like myself and you’ll feel like you’re part of the action. The Jeepers Creeper scene is one of my favorites at Fear Fair. After entering a small cornfield, you’ll walk onto a school bus where a teenage couple screams in horror as they are attacked by The Creeper. It’s just like in the movie and Fear Fair has really done their homework when it comes to its horror movie recreations.
The attention to detail is startling with some things people won’t notice unless they go through the haunt multiple times. Tunnel 5 in the My Bloody Valentine scene features a victim who has had a shovel shoved through their mouth and has nowhere to go, but six feet under. It’s a gory prop that will get a lot of people’s attention. The Halloween section of Fear Fair even includes young Michael Myers who makes a brief appearance. He can be seen in his clown costume as he taps his sharp knife against a wall.
Fear Fair’s most popular scene returns and it’s of course the Saw separation scene. You’ll be forced to enter one side of a bathroom. If you’re a male, you enter the male side. If you’re female, you enter the female side. The person on the male side gets to watch Jigsaw on a television monitor as he speaks of what’s yet to come. The person on the other side has no clue what’s about to happen as they stand next to a dirty sink. Guess what, I’m not going to let you know either. You’ll just have to visit Fear Fair yourself.
Horror movies are intense in nature and Fear Fair knows that. The actors are very hands on and will grab, pull and get in your face. Fear Fair doesn’t have many chainsaws until The Texas Chainsaw Massacre finale. This makes Leatherface much more effective because this will be one of the first times you’ve seen the gas powered murder weapon used in Fear Fair. Too many chainsaws can ruin a great haunt and Fear Fair only has a couple.
When it boils down to it, Fear Fair is one of the best haunts I’ve ever been to. Seymour Indiana might be in the middle of nowhere, but the drive out to Fear Fair is money well spent. Hopefully this haunt gets more media attention in the coming years because it more than deserves it. It’s one of the most detailed and intense haunts around and is worth the $15 ticket price. Don’t forget to pick up one of Fear Fair’s new T-shirts for only $15. On October 20th and October 27th, 2011 Fear Fair will be open for their very first Nyctophobia events. Can you survive Fear Fair in total Darkness with only a glow stick guiding your way? This is sure to be a unique event where you never know what to expect in the darkness.
Length-9 Design-10 Props/Animatronics-10 Acting-10 Scare Effect-10
Final Stab: 9.8
http://www.fearfair.com