Knott’s Scary Farm 2017 – Dread Central Attends the Kick-Off; Exclusive Photos & Video

Sean Decker |

Sep 22, 2017

This past Thursday, September 21st, marked the commencement of the annual Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park, CA, which this year celebrates its 45th season, and we were there to check out the park’s nine haunted mazes, four scare zones, two shows and more than 1,000 roaming monsters. Did Knott’s deliver? Read on!

A staple of the Halloween season for Los Angelenos (Scary Farm has been doing it longer than many of us have been alive), the event stayed delightfully true to their roots, bringing forth that Knott’s sense of nostalgia in the concept and execution of their classic production design, while also delivering a fresh and spooky spin to fan favorites. With no licensed intellectual properties, at Scary Farm it’s all about their creativity, and as evidenced once again this year, their well is far from running dry.

Following Knott’s Scary Farm press reception (the best in the biz – thank you, Knott’s), we first hit the returning maze Trick or Treat: Lights Out, reimagined this year as a darkened attraction in which guests traverse solely via the dim, flickering light of faulty flashlights (meaning remotely controlled by hidden operators) which are handed out at the maze’s entrance, and it was an altogether intriguing refresh. The maze’s classic staircase of jack o’ lanterns remain, as does the appearance of Knott’s iconic Green Witch character, although experienced under this newly muted light, it was a different entity entirely, allowing the scare actors which populate the maze to not only drift in and out under the cover of darkness, but to also literally scare some visitors to tears (which we witnessed).

Also returning for 2017 is the zombie shoot ‘em up maze Special Ops: Infected, an attraction which guides park goers, who are outfitted with infrared assault rifles, through a zombie apocalypse populated with convincing live actors (a favorite of one of those in our group, and I’ve got it say, it was exhilarating), and Paranormal Inc.: Case #13, a suspenseful walkthrough of a mock haunted hospital. Not to be missed, this one literally kicked off with a supernatural bang, with live actors engaging in startling wire work and overhead aerial stunts.

Knott’s maze designs for other returning attractions Red Barn (down home cannibal holocaust, in this one), Voodoo: Order of the Serpent (bogs, bayous and beasts) and Tooth Fairy were also on point, as was the realization of the new maze Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos. Lunatic carnys (and more clowns) await (and we dug the attention to detail, down to the faux ride track groove in the floor which served as our path).

As for the scare zones, if IT hasn’t satisfied your craving for killer clowns, Carnevil will.

With so much to do, we missed the Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenany, and the always entertaining show The Hanging, this year entitled Fake Noose!, as well as the park’s many heart stopping and vertigo-inducing rollercoasters, although we did catch Elvira, Mistress of the Dark’s first show in her final Knott’s run of her long-running review of the same name. Kitschy dance numbers and her patented ghoulish humor abounded, and we’ll be sad to see her go.

With tickets costing only $75 at the gate and $40-$54 online, and Scary Season Passes for the length of the run (until October 31st) priced at a mere $90, Knott’s is a must-visit for those looking for a haunted good time.

For more info click here, and don’t forget to check them out at Knott’s Scary Farm on Facebook!

Writer’s Note: My thanks to Knott’s PR’s Diana Bahena for arranging our visit.