Type Haunted attraction Genre Theatrical/Interactive Services Entertainment Number of employees 350 | Industry Theatre Area served National Motto A New York Nightmare | |
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Founder Michael and Nancy Jubie Founded 1992, Ulster Park, New York, United States Headquarters Ulster Park, New York, United States Similar Halloween Haunt, Great Smoky Mountains, Netherworld Haunted House, Franklin D Roosevelt President, Saddle River County P Profiles | ||
America haunts tricks behind the trade the headless horseman hayrides and haunted house
The Headless Horseman Hayride and Haunted Houses is an outdoor haunted attraction in the Hudson Valley area of New York. It is located in Ulster Park, about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Kingston, New York. This haunted attraction covers 45 acres (180,000 m2) and includes a hay ride, corn maze, and five haunted houses. The attraction has been rated as the "#1 haunted attraction in the United States by Haunt World Magazine, and listed as one of the "Top 20 Hometown Haunted Houses in America" by Fangoria. H5 has been featured on Emeril's Halloween special and the Travel Channel, and draws celebrities as customers as well.
Contents
- America haunts tricks behind the trade the headless horseman hayrides and haunted house
- Headless horseman hayrides and haunted houses tribute w trailers
- Background
- Production
- Hayride
- Hayride themes
- Corn maze
- Corn maze themes
- Haunted houses
- House themes
- The Creature
- Other activities
- Charity benefits
- Childrens Day
- Frosty Fest
- References
Headless horseman hayrides and haunted houses tribute w trailers
Background
The hayride opened for the Halloween season in 1992, stemming from a disguise business Michael Jubie developed during his time as an undercover police officer, as well as the couple's love of Halloween. As of 2015 it featured twelve distinct attractions and employed over 350 people during the season. Owners Michael and Nancy Jubie started the attraction out of a love of Halloween and experience with disguises. Michael has written articles about safety in outdoor haunted attractions, and lectures about his experiences in the industry.
H5 is located on a 45-acre (180,000 m2), 200-year-old farm that some employees report is actually haunted. The facility, which was named Tourism Business of the Year by the Ulster County Development Corporation in 2008, has garnered a reputation for tailoring the terror experience to the individual customer.
Production
A year-round crew is employed to develop and implement the annual themes at the attraction. The storyline is developed by the Jubies and Dave Berman in concert with the production crew, headed by Kyle Jubie and Ernie Bonelli. Creative Director Rob Corsino (2002-2014) develops both the sets and oversees the makeup professionals as they create a look for each actor that complements the set and writing.
The sets designs, writing, and acting have led industry publication Haunt World Magazine to repeatedly list H5 among its Top 13 haunted attraction list, "America's Best Haunted Houses," and as its No. 1 Best Scream Park.
Hayride
Patrons are first taken on a hay ride on a wagon which holds 25–30 customers. Customers are given ample opportunity to be scared by actors during the trip, which is facilitated by a "storyteller," another actor who is on the wagon for the ride. Each year the hayride has a different theme, and the storyteller narrates the tale, interacts with other characters, and sets the mood for customers. The veteran actors along the trail attend regular acting classes to sharpen their scaring skills. There is some debate about the ideal place to sit on the wagon for the most enjoyment, but the hayride is scary enough to cause some customers to jump off the wagon, or knowingly leave valuable possessions behind.
Hayride themes
Corn maze
The corn maze is the third stage in the visit. Numerous actors are hidden in a one-way (i.e., customers cannot make a wrong turn and lose their way) maze to scare passersby.
Corn maze themes
Haunted houses
Several haunted houses, each designed with a new theme annually, are also part of H5. They are frequently covered in local media.
House themes
The Creature
Appearing in 2007, the Creature was a 150-foot (46 m)-long inflated attraction that appeared to be a sleeping dinosaur or dragon. Customers passed through the mouth and walked past internal organs on their way through to the back end.
Other activities
H5 includes several other attractions, including four eating establishments (Croaked Crow Cafe, Evil Eatery, Witch Hazel's and Deadly Doughnut), four gift shops (Magic Moon Gifts, Ghoulish Gifts, Phantom Photos, and Scarewear), and other entertainers including several ghouls lose in the crowd entertaining the lines and Illusionist Ryan Dutcher . Various costumed actors and animatronic creatures are found throughout the site.
Charity benefits
Children's Day
Billed as a "Tiny Taste of Terror," Children's Day takes youngsters on a scaled-down daylight hayride and through the corn maze, all of which are modified for a youthful audience. –
Frosty Fest
In 2007 relaunched Frosty Fest, a Christmas-themed event that had originally been conceived and attempted early in the attraction's run.