Enter if you dare, Bar Harbor Scares, an interactive home haunted by an evil genius named Alan Baxter.
“For me, Scares, getting startled is like very exciting, but I also know it can be very scary for young kids, so my view of this haunt is an introduction for elementary-aged kids to get their first startle and hopefully get them excited for walk-through haunts,” said Baxter, Bar Harbor Scares owner.
People go to haunted houses for the safe thrill of an adrenaline rush, a chance to overcome fears in a controlled environment, and to experience social bonding with friends and family.
“I think it was great. Every year, it’s something different, so it’s not like repetitive or anything. At the end, they have a pop-up that comes down. I think it’s like a witch or something,” said Cara Rivera, event attendee.
“That was pretty cool, and that always gets me every year. Even though it’s always there, it still gets me, so it’s pretty scary,” said Rivera.
“My favorite part was the scarecrow at the end, cause like…actually no, at the end, there’s, like, the ghost that drops from a pulling system because that always gets us since we’re not ready for it,” said Alexander Devictoria, event attendee.
“The effort and care and detail the family puts in is something only I can really hope to get with my own little, small haunt in my front yard,” said Jeremy Whittaker, event attendee.
“I think, just the main entrance, just looking at the front, really is like, to me, the big catch of bringing me in,” said Whittaker.
“This brings me a lot of joy, and I think the community a lot of joy,” said Baxter.
“I have people who return year after year, and they tell me ‘I have to keep coming back’ and they tell their friends, and they tell their friends, so it’s been growing, and people love it. I’m just here to spread Halloween spirit,” said Baxter.
