Haunted House at Meyersdale Community Center

Back by popular demand, the haunted house at the Meyersdale Community Center will open from 7 to 10 p.m. today and again on Friday and Nov. 1, 7 and 8.

Meyersdale’s Parks and Recreation Board has put together this unforgettable haunted house as a fundraiser for the purpose of providing more recreational activities within Meyersdale Borough, explained Jessica Deakins, president of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

“This year, the haunted house also serves as a work of charity for the Meyersdale Food Pantry,” said Deakins. Donations of nonperishable food items, paper products or cleaning products can be donated at the door of the community center for the food pantry and those donating can receive a dollar off their admission price up to $3.

Last year, the Parks and Recreation Board members operated the haunted house for the first time and things went well, related Audra Elfvin, a member of the Parks and Recreation Board.

“Without all these volunteers and students it would be impossible to hold this fundraiser,” said Elfvin. “This is something we can do for the community because of the support of the volunteers. It’s a great way to have fun in a dry and warm environment so we invite everyone out this Halloween from not only the Meyersdale area but also the whole county to come and be scared with us.”

When the board members considered having the haunted house at the community center last year, they brought Cory Albright and Mike Petenbrink on board with the project. These men were the masterminds behind the Meyersdale Maple Valley Park Haunted House a few years ago and while that haunted house was outside in the elements, this haunted house is confined to the community center.

Last year, the event was limited to the basement of the community center but this year, the top floor is full of spooky sights as well, including scenes inspired by the musical “Sweeney Todd.” In the basement of the community center, black plastic partitions have been put up to take people through a maze of adventures, including Chuckie’s bedroom from the movie “Child’s Play” and a mad scientist laboratory, complete with a meat locker, a corn maze and a cemetery.

In addition to the Haunted House, Meyersdale will hold its trick or treat for children younger than 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday. Children must wear a registration tag. Children should only go to houses with lights on and should be accompanied by an adult at all times. The trick or treat is being held for Meyersdale area students only.

Starting at 7:15 p.m. Friday, there will be a firemen’s parade, with line up at the church on Broadway and Center streets.

On Nov. 1, there will be a teen dance from 7 to 10 p.m. at Meyersdale School.

All of these events have been organized by Meyersdale Parks and Recreation Board with the support of the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department and Meyersdale Borough Council.