SPOOKTACULAR – Haunted Houses on Staten Island

Today people create haunted houses to scare those who love to be scared.

There are five main haunted houses on Staten Island meant to scare everyone this Halloween. Trapped in Purgatory, Slaughter House, Fear in the Forest, St. Andrews Church, and the Salerno House are all places that are sure to make your spine tingle.

Trapped in Purgatory has been open for 15 years. Their theme this year is Sinister Swamp. Dennis Hansen is the master mind behind the 7900 square feet of terrorizing fun that consists of actors, a new corn maze and, of course, the haunted house.

“The numbers improve every year by 10% to 20%, but weather is a big factor. If there is rain, there is no business, and we won’t get people back again with rain,” said Mr. Hansen.

First, you start with the corn maze where monsters of all kinds pop out from the stalks. Then, make your way into the haunted house where you go through different rooms, each with a special sub theme within the theme.

But, make sure you are prepared for the surprise that awaits you at the end of your journey. Some may not be able to handle the fear factor in this room.

“When going in I felt terrified because I didn’t think it was going to be scary. I was surprised and was so scared, I came out shaking. Unexpectedly, I loved everything they had and wouldn’t say I had a favorite attraction. It was well worth the wait,” said sophomore Andrew Casale.

Those that dared to walk through the haunted house rated the place a four out of five on a scary level.

At Trapped in Purgatory, for only $15, you will find entertainment that will have the hairs on the back of your neck sticking up for days, located at 5050 Hylan Boulevard at Greenside Up Nursery, in Annadale. Open Friday and Saturday 7-11pm, and Sundays 6:30-10pm.

The Staten Island Slaughter House took four weeks and over 120 hours to create. Filled with 11 actors, blood, gore, a haunted house and barn, this one will definitely make you scream.

Jereny Dalessandro, who makes props for movies, is the man who gave life to this year’s theme, The Feast.

“Whatever I feel is basically how it’s created. We’re a prop company, so whatever props we make, we get ideas from,” said Mr. Dalessandro.

You wait on line to enter the horrifying haunted house that has walls, ceilings, and floors filled with blood and gore. After, you will go screaming into the barn where the beast awaits. Finally, you will make your way to the end of your adventure, hopefully in one piece.

“I enjoyed this haunted house. I didn’t think I would get scared, but I jumped a few times. If I had the chance I would definitely go again,” said sophomore James Casella.

The brave souls who wandered in and were lucky enough to come out gave this thriller a four and a half on the scary scale.

Staten Island Slaughter House is located at 2449 Veterans Road at Greenside Up Nursery, in West Charleston. Open Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11pm, and Sundays from 6:30-10pm, this thriller is only $15 and will have you screaming for more.

The Salerno House is a residence located on Amboy Road in the Huguenot, Annadale, area. For 25 years Patty and Dennis Salerno have been transforming their lawn into a creepy thrilling adventure for all Staten Islanders to enjoy.

“I do this because I love Halloween. I am obsessed with horror, witchcraft, magic, and I love seeing the kids reactions. I also do this for the people in my neighborhood,” said Mrs. Salerno.

Whether it is an execution or a hanging, or a vampire roaming around, watch you’re back, for you don’t know what is real and what is not.

Pinhead, Jason, Mike Myers, Texas chainsaw, Freddy, The Exorcist, Frankenstein and his bride, Mad Flasher and Dracula are just a few well known names that can be found on the front lawn of the Salerno house. The Salerno’s replicate movie characters from all your favorite horror films and bring them to life. Along with these well known names are characters like the Three Witches of Amboy, a pop up dead guy in a coffin, autopsy guy, a man being electrocuted, another being hung, and the man ready for the guillotine.

Opened every Friday through Halloween this residence has many creatures that are sure to pop out and scare you. It is free of charge but donations for NYU Children’s Cancer Foundation are always accepted.

“The reason I do the donations is because two of our neighbors have Hodgkin’s and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” said Mrs. Salerno.

St. Andrew’s Church puts on a scare for everyone during the Halloween season. Face your Phobia and go through the fifteen different phobia theme rooms.

The fears you will find in this haunted house are Taphephobia, Hierophobia, Hagiophobia, Necrophobia, Arachnophobia, Automatonophobia, Coulrophobia, Ophidiophobia, Hadeaphobia, Prosopeiophobia, Claustraphobia, Dentophobia, Nyfitsaphobia, and Lygophobia.

This church fundraiser has been around for over 10 years and is run by Donna Barr. Ms. Barr explained that each year is a different theme.

“Halloween is fun, and it’s my church and I love to help my church in anyway I can,” said volunteer, Peggie Kiernan.

As you make your way through the cemetery where creatures of all kind pop out, you soon arrive at church doors where your journey begins; the end is a dark basement.  Those who braved the journey emerged shaking in fear.

“That was the best thing I have ever been through. I have no voice from screaming,” said Staten Island resident, Jill.

The blood runs down the bricks of the house a victims enter.

The people who journeyed through the historical yet haunted church all rated this haunted house a five on the scary level.

Located in Richmond Town, for only $8 you can also enjoy more fear. Open 7-10 p.m.. on October 23, 24, and 30.

Taking more than 75 people over three months to prepare, the six acre thirty minute walk at Pouch camp is a fundraiser sure to make you fear the forest.

“One, we had the opportunity to be in the forest, and secondly, it gave us an added dimension. Most places just have a haunted house, but we have inside and outside stuff,” said creator, John DeVaynes.

This half  mile walk through is a way to help the 40 chosen Boy Scouts raise money to go to the National Jamboree.

“The scariest part was walking through the woods at night and not knowing what is going to pop out or chase you,” said sophomore Erin Kohm.

The haunted attraction was given a three out of five on the scary level by those who went into the woods and shockingly found their way out.

Pouch camp is located on Manor Road, is $25, and is open from dusk till midnight on October 23, 24, 25, and 30.

Yet, haunted houses today are a bit of a mockery of actual “haunted houses”.

According to Amy Raiola, from the Staten Island Paranormal Society, there are three types of hauntings: residual, intelligent, and poltergeists.

“A residual haunting is when the haunting does stuff at the same time everyday. An intelligent haunting interacts with you. A poltergeist is when people are being haunted. But the two main ones are intelligent and residual,” said paranormal expert, Amy Raiola.

Silvia Valhos another member of the Staten Island Paranormal Society explained that, they are not quick to jump and say something is paranormal, but they try to find the evidence to verify paranormal activities.

“I feel Spirits are more like cats they come out when they hear people talking. They come out when you least expect them to. When we investigate a home, I respect the spirits because I am coming into their home,” said Case Manager Brooke Haramija.

A paranormal experience or not each haunted house on the Island brings their own original touch, making them a great Halloween treat. Make your Halloween one to remember. Visit these haunted houses and get the full experience for yourself.

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