By JESSE SCOTT

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

There are some pretty creepy things going on down at Frog Level Farm this month.

The farm's first annual "Incident at Froggy Bottom" has been generating shrieks and smiles alike throughout October. Picture your normal Halloween-decor farm with hayrides and changing leaves galore--but with an alternate-reality horror plot taking place.

"We have set up a reality that is fiction, but seamlessly interwoven with the real world," said Arthur Brill, creative director of Frog Level Farm.

Brill has been designing monster props for well over 20 years. Throughout his career, he has worked on several films, theater productions and with Kings Dominion.

He joined the Frog Level Farm in July, and has been working on making his horror plot a reality since.

Within the story, a mysterious meteor hits Frog Level Farm on Aug. 3 and all hell has broken loose since. An alien virus is spreading. Plants and animals are ballooning in size. And humans and plants are molding together.

Paranormal investigators have been sent in to survey the scene, and the general public is now permitted to view the paranormal activity.

For a small fee, the unafraid can step inside the "Skinner Box," where government contractors are investigating the impact of the virus on plants and animals.

Folks can also take a stroll down "Dead Man's Trail," where the meteor originally hit and mutants are running wild.

Needless to say the "Skinner Box" and "Dead Man's Trail" are not for the easily frightened.

"People ask what the age limits are, and we really can't tell them," said Brill. "We've had a 5-year-old go through that absolutely loved it, and then we had older people that were just terrified. It really depends how easy you are to scare."

For those who are content with their present heart rate, there are some lighter options. Hayrides are available for $5 per car, as well as magic shows, family-friendly ghost stories, a bonfire, a rope course and a petting zoo.

An evening at Frog Level Farm is sure to provide a spine-tingling scare, an evening of nonstop laughter or a little of both.

Which emotional route you will experience appears to be up to you.

"We've had very good reactions from all ages," said Brill. "It's always rewarding to see people come out with a smile on their face, laughing and happy We are here to make them have a good time."

Jesse Scott of Stafford is freelance writer.