Fire station scares up fans, funds
If the vortex, swinging bridge or leaning house aren’t enough to increase your heart rate, the screams, flames and compression chamber will accomplish the task. You may be frightened enough to leap through a nearby window, but it could be a fake one.
Firefighters at Grissettown Longwood Fire & Rescue in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. each year increase the number of ways to frighten visitors to the self-guided Haunted Trail they have created, and again they do not disappoint.
When you step into one of the various vehicles and rooms, a witch or zombie may share your space. Total darkness will engulf you at times. Strobe lights will distract you. Shrieks and screams are as common as a parliament of owls or a murder of crows on this half-mile trail.
It began eight years ago to raise funds for the department and has proven to be a popular attraction for the middle school, high school and college crowds.
“We built it ourselves,” Miranda Walcott, GLFR firefighter/EMT, said of the entire Haunted Trail. “The vortex is like at WonderWorks in Myrtle Beach.”
“There are lots of electronics making cabinets bang and pans clash,” Tal Grissett, fire chief, said. “This is pretty intense especially at night. In the dark it changes the whole atmosphere.”
The department and volunteers began work on additions and improvements after Halloween last year. Creativity is paramount to Assistant Fire Chief Richard Teague, who devises mechanisms to bewilder and surprise people.
“It’s the engineering part I like the most,” he said.
About 70 people are on hand each Friday and Saturday through October to assist in the antics, ensure visitors enjoy the trail and provide a safe journey.
“We have security cameras in place,” Grissett said. The “actors” do not touch visitors, and visitors who become unruly are escorted off the premises, Grissett added.
Although all ages are invited to walk the Haunted Trail, “It’s not for the faint of heart,” said staff firefighter Michael Leonard.
“We achieve what we want to. They enjoy it and we enjoy it,” Walcott said.
Once through the “trial,” people can congregate in the firehouse and purchase a hot dog, chips and beverage.
If you go
What | Haunted trail
Where | Grissettown Longwood Fire & Rescue, 758 Longwood Road, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
When | 7 p.m. until… all Fridays and Saturdays through October
Cost | $10 per person
Contact | 910-287-3030, http://www.grissettownfire.com/hauntedtrail.htm
Other North Strand events
SUNSET BEACH WATERFRONT MARKET
What | Sunset Beach Business and Merchants Association Farmers Market
Where | Sunset Beach Park, 206 Sunset Blvd., Sunset Beach, N.C.
When | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursdays through October 29
Cost | Free
Details | Homemade items include jewelry, original art, soaps, cutting board, baked goods, essential oils and more
MASTER GARDENERS ANSWER QUESTIONS
What | Bring lawn and garden problems and questions to have Master Gardeners give answers
Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 9 a.m. – noon Fridays through Nov. 13
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575-0173, Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
ADULT COLORING SESSION
Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 10 a.m. every Tuesday
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575-0173, email: Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
Details | Library supplies coloring sheets and colors, but people can bring their own
CAREGIVER & COFFEE CLINIC
What | Support group and conversations
Where | SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, N.C.
When | 3rd Monday of month
Cost | Free
Contact | Haylie Long, 910-515-5038, email: Haylie.long@lcfh.org
Details | Offers caregivers encouragement and support; those attending share experiences
SUPPORT GROUP FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS
What | The public is invited to attend the group with Karol Asbjornson as facilitator
Where | Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.
When | 1:30 p.m. 2nd Thursday of each month
Cost | Free, no reservations required
s | Karol, 910-575-2452
This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Fire station scares up fans, funds."