Valdosta Scene October 2024 | Page 6

ARTOBERFEST

ARToberfest 2024 celebrates the talent of local and regional artists and their contributions to our culture and community .

7th Annual ARToberfest SATURDAY , OCTOBER 26 , 2024 | 10 AM - 3 PM FREE ADMISSION

Dozens of Fine Arts Vendors Artists Demos • Live Music • Food Trucks

Kids Play Zone with Free Art Activities , Games , and more

Plein Air Contest - $ 1000 First Place Prize

Visit turnercenter . org / artoberfest for more information

Turner Center Art Park 605 N . Patterson St .

229.247.2787 turnercenter . org

THE BEST HEATING & A / C COMPANY FOR 14 YEARS !

Hello and Happy Halloween from Valdosta Scene ! Whenever I think of Halloween , I remember a time in my younger days at Wild Adventures . My parents took my younger sister Alex , my cousin Jenny , and me to Wild Adventures ’ Halloween nights , now known as Luminights . At the time , there were two haunted houses . There was the Boo House for younger kids and the “ adult haunted house ” for older kids and adults alike . My parents first took Jenny , Alex , and me through the Boo House . I am not sure if it is still in existence , but it had Venus fly traps adorning the walls and moving photos . Nothing too scary . It was painted green and purple and perfect for kids .

Jenny and I thought it was too simple , so we asked my dad to take us to the adult haunted house .

Alex was very young at the time , so my mom said we could stay and do that and she would take Alex back to the hotel to go to sleep .

My dad asked Jenny and me several times if we were sure we were ready for the adult haunted house . Of course , we were , what kind of question was that ? The line wrapped around the house and we saw people come running out screaming , but it couldn ’ t be that bad right ? We finally entered the haunted house and it was pitch black and dark . No purple or green anywhere .

We were instructed to stay in a single file line , not touch anything , and not leave our group at any point . That seemed simple enough . Who in their right mind would leave their group in a haunted house ?

My dad had Jenny right behind him . She was gripping his shirt in case she got scared , and I was the caboose of our group .

Our haunted house leader had stopped the group at a fork , asking what route we wanted to take . As the group decided , a figure emerged from the corner and tapped me with his pointy , bony little finger and I heard “ Hello little girl .” That was all it took for me to forget those rules . I remember feeling extreme terror and took off running . Our group hadn ’ t decided on the path , and I didn ’ t care . No one else had just been touched by a mystery man .

Jenny and my dad were long gone , when I came to the end of my route and saw the final ending- a chainsaw .

Please keep in mind how young I was , I didn ’ t know if these were real or not . I just knew my dad had always told me to never come near him when he was on his lawnmower or had his chainsaw because you might lose a limb , and I don ’ t mean a tree limb .

It occurred to me that maybe that ’ s why those people had been screaming earlier , maybe they almost lost a limb .

I didn ’ t have time to think about it . I started crying and just ran for my life , hoping I would come out with all my arms and legs intact . I couldn ’ t catch my breath when I made it out . Jenny and my dad eventually exited and Jenny was crying too . My dad asked where I went , and I asked him why he would ever take us to such a place like this . We got back to the hotel and my mom could see the adult haunted house was clearly too much for us . She said my dad should ’ ve known better . I think he did , but just wanted to see the haunted house for himself and we were silly enough to believe we could handle it too . That was my last time at Wild Adventures for Halloween . As I said , I ’ m not sure if that haunted house is still in existence , as it ’ s been 20-some-odd years , but if so , beware this Halloween . Something scary this way comes !