New Haunted Forest to Explore on the KP

Colleen Slater

A giant metal dragon awaits intrepid visitors to the Grand Farms Haunted Forest. Photo: Mark Dodson

A fire-breathing dragon lurks behind the gates of the new Haunted Forest at Grand Farms on South Vaughn Road.

Visitors who dare to take the half-mile trail may shiver at the sight of ghosts, a gigantic spider with its captured prey, a witch’s hut, a graveyard and much more.

Hot drinks will be served near a warming fire at the end of the tour.

Mark Dodson is the master creator of the experience. He learned about metals from his grandfather. “You can’t go down to Home Depot and get hinges for a 1,000-pound gate,” he said, so he learned to manufacture his own.

Dodson has been collecting pieces and constructing skeletons, imitation “gory body parts,” both simple and more elaborate, for many months.

“This is the first year,” he said. “New things will be added each year.”

Grand Farms opens its scary tour Sept. 30 from 6 to 11 p.m. and will continue Friday and Saturday nights through Oct. 29. Tickets are $12, with discounts for groups of six or more. The address is 17616 South Vaughn Road KPN.