Fear Fest returns to Ghostly Manor

SANDUSKY — It turns out that the labor shortage is real, even when you are trying to put crazy clowns and rotting corpses on the payroll. Battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the labor shortage, Ghostly Manor has trimmed its operating hours for its annual "Lake Eerie Fear Fest" and cut the number of haunted houses in the attraction from five to three, said the general manager, Billy Criscione. "Fear Fest" continues to be a top-rated Halloween attraction. The Cleveland Plain Dealer listed it as a top seasonal entertainment, and the Haunted Attraction Association, an industry group, lists "Fear Fest" as one of the top haunts of 2022. The Haunted Hydro in Fremont also is listed as a top haunt by the association, and Halloweekends at Cedar Point gives Halloween fans another reason to come to Sandusky. This year, Ghostly Manor hired 30 seasonal workers to portray zombies and other unpleasant creatures to supplement the 10 year-round employees who also pitch in during Fear Fest, Criscione said. In past years, Ghostly Manor was able to hire 85 to 90 seasonal actors. Fear Fest used to be open Thursday through Sunday. Thursday and Sunday have been trimmed this year and the attraction is now open from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, when the largest crowds show up. "We adapted," Criscione says. Ghostly Manor is not the only Halloween venue that has adapted to current economic conditions. The Seven Floors of Hell at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, a perennial Cleveland attraction, has only five haunted attractions this year. Criscione explained that after the pandemic hit in 2020, only Ghostly Manor, the permanent, year-round haunted house, remained open. In 2021, lacking staff, only three haunted houses were opened during the Halloween season. This year, with Ghostly Manor facing another staff shortage, two of the seasonal haunted attractions, Eerie Chateau and Quarantine, were sold in August to a German company and hauled away in containers. Criscione said he remains proud of the three remaining haunted attractions. Ghostly Manor, which opened in 2000, has been freshened up with the replacement of some dilapidated sets and with the use of lasers and fog which make it easier for guests to be unexpectedly ambushed by the actors. Dead in the Water pays tribute to Sandusky's nautical heritage with authentic barnacles and plenty of less authentic dead people. Ponchos are provided, as guests can get wet. Darkmare features little light and what Criscione describes as some of the loudest and craziest actors. The design makes it hard for guests to easily escape. "You're not sure if you are going to make it out," Criscione said. (The actors do help people who are befuddled or terrified and who need to exit). Visitors who need more chills can also check out the Zombyte virtual reality attraction, which features attacks by zombies. Hearing people scream with goggles on is funny, Criscione said. "You'll see people hit the deck sometimes," he said. The crowds this year are about the same as in 2021, down from previous years, he said. Criscione said Ghostly Manor is putting a greater emphasis on year round family entertainment. A new inflatable playland park is about to be added and laser tag is being incorporated into the entire building, and there are plans to offer laser tag after hours to all ages. But Criscione said special holiday offerings will continue, including a free Christmas light show that features 100,000 lights in front of the building and Christmas music. Halloween season at Ghostly Manor isn't going away, either. "We're still going to run the haunted houses in October," he said.