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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 29, 2011
Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
Index Oktoberfest .............................................. 26 Porsche show .......................................... 27 Arts Alive .................................................. 29 Kellie Pickler ............................................ 28 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz ............ 30 Leon Russell .............................................. 31 PRCA Rodeo ............................................ 33 Calendar .............................................. 36-37
“You’re becoming a soldier in the Talladega Frights army. Drill sergeants will be telling you where zombies are, cheering you on.” — Adam Stubbs, operator of Talladega Frights
Zombies in the cross-hairs! The Chamber and Talladega offer first-rate frights BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com
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f all of life’s great scares, it may be the fear of change that stops most in their tracks. If that’s so, prepare for a dose of terror as Bakersfield’s two top haunts make way for big changes this year. The major news is the announcement that this will be the “last year of fear in Bakersfield” for The Chamber Haunt. Frightening fans first from his Westchester home in 2001 before moving the terror to Sam Lynn Ball Park in 2003, where it’s been ever since, owner Dave Enloe said it’s time for something different. “This is our eighth year. Bakersfield has had its fill of The Chamber. So we’re going to start something new.” Those projects include taking The Chamber on the road, with a touring version debuting in Los Angeles in 2012; and a brand-new attraction for Bakersfield, also set for next year. Moving The Chamber to a larger market will allow it to compete with big spookfests at Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and the Queen Mary. “It’s a life-changing gamble, a make-or-break decision. We’re all scared doing it, but we’re doing it because we need to spread our wings. “We’ve had this in the works for quite a few years. There’s so much more that we’re going to do in Los Angeles. We’re making it more involved. “Some of those things will be included this year (in Bakersfield).” While a few details are still under wraps for the haunt, which kicks off Oct. 7, local patrons can expect a return to the Fortress of Fiends, a sector filled with halfmen, half-animal cross-breeds. All new this year is Intangible Torment, which, in contrast to the colorful ChromaDepth art of the haunt’s 3D attraction, touts a stark black-and-white setting featuring the source of many night-
HENRY A. BARRIOS / THE CALIFORNIAN
The billboard near the Talladega Frights entrance invites people to the Zombie X attraction.
mares: clowns. “It’s really neat,” Enloe said of Torment. “I’ve never seen this done like this particular maze. We’re always trying to reinvent ourselves. I think that’s what separates us from our competition. Scaring outside of the box.” Enloe said he’s proud of the team’s work, from the aforementioned art of the 3D invasion, The Deep (complete with zombie pirates), to the makeup, including new pieces by Academy Award-winning makeup artist Barney Burman. “I’ve always really pushed our makeup department. Production value is the most important thing to me. Everything we use is made by us.” Also spooking fans this year will be a sneak peek of the new sea-
son of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” which premieres Oct. 16. The network came on board as a sponsor after being tipped off by a producer friend of Enloe’s. “We’re going to have sneak preview stuff for the show and highlights from last season” up on a big screen, Enloe said. And while this may be the last year the time machine adventure will scare local crowds, Enloe said loyal fans will be welcome at the touring haunt down south. “We have plans for people who come down from Bakersfield,” possibly including discounts, he said. “We’ll keep people in the loop, via the website, via Facebook.” As for what he will build next in Please see 25
The entrance to The Chamber, located in the Sam Lynn Ball Park parking lot at 4009 Chester Ave.