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Visitors encouraged to scream at frightening haunted house built by two Spotsylvania County couples--a neighborhood attraction for the past 12 Halloweens. Date published: 10/31/2005 By MEGHANN COTTER By MEGHANN COTTER Screams billowed over the rooftops of two homes in Spotsylvania County's Cambridge Estates. But Megan Gilham, 31, of Stafford and her two children, Brittany and Devin Galyen, were brave enough to venture into the homes' backyards. There, the homeowners had constructed a haunted house and graveyard. "I think I don't want to go in," Devin, 8, said to his mother as he stopped in his tracks at the entrance Saturday evening. "Oh, honey, it's not real," she said as she lifted him onto her hip and proceeded into the pitch-dark hallway. But as ghosts and goblins began to jump from every corner, even Gilham had to cover her own screams with laughter to reassure her children. "One way or another, no matter how old you are, we are gonna get you," said Chris Cott, who built the set up with his wife, Loretta, and their neighbors Marian and Wayne Wiltshire. The Cotts, who were married on Halloween 13 years ago today, started the tradition on their first anniversary. And they have expanded the production--adding more characters, themes and scare tactics--every year since. The Wiltshires joined in two years after the Cotts started, so they could compete as the best house to visit on the trick-or-treat holiday. Both couples say this will be the last year for the event. But they aren't letting the tradition, which ends tonight, go out without a scream. Construction this year started at the beginning of October. And many of the homeowners' friends, co-workers and family, even some from out of state, have come to help and see the event for the last time. Cott and his neighbors have easily invested thousands of dollars in the project over the years, he said. And they have visited haunted houses and ghost tours all over the country looking for new ideas. "[Halloween] is our favorite holiday," he said. "It's the only day you can legally scare the crap out of your kids." The event drew 200 to 300 people last year, Loretta Cott said. More than 100 people came out on Saturday. The two couples expect many more tonight.
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