Family-run scare house spooks without the gore

Some families carve pumpkins to celebrate Halloween, and some families chase people with chainsaws. At the 10th West Scare House, the Huskinson family works to provide scare attractions without gore.

“We try to stay away from gore,” said Cade Huskinson, a junior majoring in business at Utah State University and chainsaw operator for the house. “We don’t own any fake blood, there’s no fake blood. Some of our actors might bring it from home a little bit, but we try not to do anything that grosses people out. We mostly just do stuff that’s scary – jumping out at people, chainsaws. So it’s scary, but it’s not going to gross people out.”

Members of the Huskinson family all work together to make the house a scary attraction for the public.

“It’s a family activity,” said Bailee Huskinson, an undeclared sophomore.

Bailee works the concession and ticket stand at the scare house and meets many groups during operating hours.

“I love talking to everyone that comes in because you meet a wide variety of different people,” Bailee said. “That’s what I love about doing tickets. Nothing beats getting a good scare out of people. There’s nothing better than that. It’s a job where you can’t be disappointed to come to work because you’re going to laugh a lot.”

The family changed nearly everything from last year, Cade said. He said that though they should be charging twice as much as they do for tickets, the family wanted to ensure that everyone could attend.

“It’s kind of just a fun place to be,” Bailee said. “It doesn’t take too long. It’s not too expensive. I think it’s a perfect college activity. It’s a good date activity. It’s a fun atmosphere.”

Ashley Hunsiker, a Skyview High School student, works at the scare house this year. Though she only went through the house with the lights on, she said she has heard all good things from those who have gone in.

“There’s clowns, chainsaws, old men, doctors, everything,” Hunsiker said. “It’s awesome. The outside part is really awesome, too. It’s like a carnival.”

The overall event is very family friendly, Bailee said.

“It’s nice, fun, affordable, family-friendly,” she said. “It’s just a fun place to hang out.”

After hearing about it from others, locals Alex Magana and Amanda Olson visited the scare house Saturday night and gave good reviews.

“A lot of people told us about how good it was,” Magana said. “It was really good. It was really fun.”

The fun didn’t end for the duo after exiting the scare house; a man with a chainsaw escorted them out, adding to the fear factor.

“It was scary,” Olson said. “I screamed a lot.”

The house is open Thursday for a group night. There will be a discounted group rate for attendees based on the size of the group. The house remains open until Nov. 1. While its normal hours of operation are 7:30-11 p.m., hours may be extended for Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased both online and at the door for $10.

“If you haven’t come, come,” Hunsiker said. “It’s worth it.”

—sadiejherrera@aggiemail.usu.edu