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Chris Cotts (right), joined by his neighbors, has created a haunted house and graveyard at his Spotsylvania home for 12 Halloweens. |
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.
Visitors wind their way through a pirate-themed maze and graveyard in the Cott's backyard. And they end up traipsing through a scene from the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" in the Wiltshire's garage. It is complete with a headless man, coffins and a bloody victim.
"It's hilarious to watch the people come out of here with the expressions on their faces," said Noel "Preacher" Lampman, who was at the haunted house to take pictures for the homeowners.
Some groups, however, were braver than others.
"Did you see the guy without the legs? That was cool," one boy excitedly told his mother. "Can we do it again?"
But many children, teens and even adults huddled together as they worked their way through it.
"They got me a couple times," said Jenny Haynesworth of Spotsylvania.
She came to the event with her husband, Duron, and her children Kamryn, 5, and Carl, 9.
"It's very nice," she said. "The thing I really, really like is it's free."
Many parents, although they shared a few screams themselves, most enjoyed the panicked expressions on their kids faces.
"I'm excited. I hope it scares the life out of them," said Denise Saunders of Spotsylvania before she entered the haunted house with her 9-year-old son Stanley and several of his friends.
The group had seen the signs on Leavells Road and decided to come for Stanley's birthday.
Many, however, were lured to the Cott and Wiltshire homes because of the haunted spot's reputation.
"This place is great," said David Teaford, 45, of Spotsylvania. "We used to live up the street, and they do a little more every year."
His son, Wyatt, came dressed in a pirate costume. But his disguise didn't scare off any of the monsters.
"It was horrifying," the 9-year-old said with chattering teeth.
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