Fake blood and cobwebs are coming out of storage as area groups work on haunted houses for Halloween. Several of the attractions open this week, while others are keeping us in suspense for one more week. Attractions include:
• Barton Community College’s student chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education – NAfME – will host “Barton Fright Night” from 8-11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, throughout the Fine Arts Building. All proceeds will benefit the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.
NAfME executive and Barton music student Kira Kreutzer said the “victims” will meet by the Shafer Gallery to begin their bone-chilling experience.
“It is not truly a haunted house, it is more of a house of horrors,” she said.  “I’m afraid the only thing I can say about it without giving too much away is that the Fine Arts Building will be turned into a jail.”
General admission is $5. Students with an ID will be admitted for $3.
• The Barton County Sheriff Reserves will operate a haunted house at 5205 10th St. “The Fresh Meat Market” specializes in custom cuts, and is serving terror.
Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Oct. 19; and 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. It will be open again at 7 p.m. nightly, Oct. 26-28 and Oct. 30-31.
Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for kids 10 years old and younger. The Reserves will conduct a food drive on Oct. 27 and 28, with $1 off the price of admission for everyone who donates an item to the Barton County Food Bank.
There will be a lights-on version for kids from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 31.
• First Church of the Nazarene, 4811 Broadway Ave., will host Judgement House, a multi-scene walk-through drama, from 4-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.
The script features ordinary people, faced with choices that lead to real consequences, with characters going to heaven or hell. While there is no set cost for the event, a donation of $3 per person is suggested to defray costs, and it is stressed the event is not intended for children under 10. This week the Great Bend City Council approved a request from Mike Snyder to close Sherman Street during the presentations. Crowds are expected, so reservations are recommended for anyone coming in from out of town or for group of 12 or more. Reservations can be made by calling 793-6139 or online at www.gbfirstnaz.com.
• Haunted Heights will open Friday, Oct. 19, at 257 S. Main in Hoisington. Sponsors Don Doerschlag and Cecil Fabian said proceeds will benefit Pride Park and the Hoisington Food Bank. Cost is $5 or $4 and a donation to the food bank to shiver, shake and scream your way through the revamped fright house.
Haunted Heights opens at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27, and runs until the last person crawls out.