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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, September 30, 2010
Eye Street
Index Metro Fifth Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Porsche show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Western Swing Society Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . .21 Arts Alive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Volkslauf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 The Lowdown with Matt Munoz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Dave Alvin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-31
Editor Jennifer Self | Phone 395-7434 | e-mail jself@bakersfield.com
These places get fright right Chamber offers 3-D thrills; expanded Talladega adds family fun to mayhem mix BY STEFANI DIAS Californian assistant lifestyles editor sdias@bakersfield.com
H
alloween is coming, and there’s much more to be scared of than worrying if you and the kids will sweat the night away in your costumes. There are returning events as well as spooktacular new additions headed our way this October. In order to plan your month accordingly, we’ve got the details on what’s worth your time and money.
The Chamber Haunted House First up is local favorite The Chamber Haunted House and Alien Invasion at Sam Lynn Ball Park, which opens Oct. 8. Owner David Enloe started spooking up his own Westchester home in 2001 and expanded to a free-standing For a more frightfest in 2003. complete list of This year, the Halloween attraction pays events, please tribute to its turn to page 26. neighborhood roots with the haunted Westchester House, where a family of demons lord over minions who keep the place up for them. The Chamber, which Enloe describes as a “time machine that transports you to places in time,” also will revisit its roots with the zombie-filled Toxic Terror. A theme both at Enloe’s house and The Chamber’s first pro haunt year, Terror serves up a warehouse of flesh-eating creatures looking for new victims. The third frightening element is the Alien Invasion — “back for more abductions!” — a 3D maze (requiring glasses) set in space with planets, solar systems and “enough creatures to keep you on your toes.” Based on the positive response from last year, the maze has expanded and the vibrant DayGlo artwork is all new. Enloe says this will be the last year with aliens, although he hints “who knows what future invasions will bring.” Right now, the invasion has spread to the Kern County Fair, where Enloe and his crew have put the maze’s artwork on display, allowing guests to enjoy the art without being chased by aliens. Visitors can win tickets to The Chamber with a giveaways through the Facebook page for CC Productions, which puts on the event. Enloe, who was an actor for former local haunt Scream in the Dark and bought that production, says The Chamber is a labor of love for the dedicated crew of more than 50. Many of those involved in the production make a living
FELIX ADAMO / THE CALIFORNIAN
Talladega Frights creators Michael Wilbur, left, and Adam Stubbs at a pivotal point in the corn maze — you can go left or you can go right. One will get you out — the other deeper in the corn!
in the field, from the CGI artist whose work can be seen in “Piranha 3D” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” to the lead makeup artist, who works for Academy Award-winning special effects artist Barney Burman. The attention to detail even goes to the music, which was composed specially for the production. With such a dedicated team, it’s no wonder that Enloe is talking about eventually moving to a bigger market. “We will never leave Bakersfield without a topnotch Halloween event, but The Chamber needs to spread its wings a bit,” Enloe says. “What’s in store for Bakersfield? Who knows what evil lurks in the minds of CC Productions. We have so many ideas for new mazes we will always keep people guessing what we are doing.”
Talladega Frights Another popular haunt, Talladega Frights, kicks off Friday at a new 20-acre location on Rosedale Highway, between Jewetta Avenue and Old Farm Road. This year, the boo-loved attraction not only offers spine-tingling scares but fun for the whole family with corn mazes and a pumpkin patch.
GO & DO The Chamber Haunted House When: 7 p.m. Oct. 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 Where: Sam Lynn Ball Park, 4009 Chester Ave. Admission: $10, Chamber; $5, Alien Invasion; $14, combo ticket for both. Information: chamberhaunt.com
Talladega Frights When: 7 p.m. Oct. 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 Where: 11811 Rosedale Highway, between Jewetta Avenue and Old Farm Road. Admission: $15; $22, fast pass; $20, combo pass for haunt and corn maze (see below)
Walking through the gates, guests are still 100 feet away from the haunted house, allowing curious children the briefest glimpse of ghouls but nothing too scary, says Talladega co-owner Adam Stubbs.
Information: talladegafrights.com, facebook.com/TalladegaFrights or 6998633
Volvo Rents Corn Maze and Kern’s Best Pumpkin Patch When: Runs Oct. 1-31, 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday Where: 11811 Rosedale Highway, between Jewetta Avenue and Old Farm Road. Admission: corn mazes: $9, adults; $5, kids 5 and up; free for kids 4 and under. Free admission to pumpkin patch. Information: norfun.org/html/cornmaze.html or 6998633
The pumpkin patch covers two-and-ahalf acres, with a selection of gourds offered at varying prices. After you’ve picked the perfect pumpkin, let the kids bounce off their energy at the inflatable playground offered by Amazing Bounce