Frightmare Forest Gallery

Frightmare Forest 2006

Mon, 9 Apr 2007 14:27:40 -0500

2006 saw some new *really cool* stuff. Wireless prop control technology, LED-based lighting for nearly everything (which is why there are so few pictures - the rooms were very dark), Character development, a kick-butt acting staff, and of course, one of the most fun years we have ever had. The season was a rousing success, even with the cold and rain that didn't seem to leave us alone. There's always 2007, I guess.

Frightmare Forest 2005

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 12:26:23 -0600

KNRA & Muddy Waters Buffalo Wings Eating Contest.

Mon, 3 Oct 2005 17:13:38 -0500

Frightmare Forest 2005 Pre-Season Photos

Mon, 3 Oct 2005 08:51:29 -0500

As we push further into the planning, construction, and technical preperation for the 2005 haunt, this section will have faily regular updates of photos from events, prop building days, test runs, and much more!If you were ever curious as to what we do the rest of the year, this section is for you. I think you will be pleasantly suprised when you see just how sick we are with our addiction to Halloween!

Canfield's Frightmare Forest 2001

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:42:58 -0500

In 2001 Chad met Joe and Theresa Seeman. Joe used to operate the "Haunted Trail" on his property behind Xavior. Unfortunately, Joe was unable to keep the haunt open due to unfortunate medical circumstances. Joe persuaded Chad to "bring Halloween back to the forest" and Canfield's Frightmare Forest was born. The 2001 season was the first year that we were really open to the public as a haunted attraction. This was truly a year of learning. We really weren't completely sure of what we were doing, there were several set-backs, issues that we didn't even think about having to be tackled. But despite the problems we faced no one could say it was a bad year. What we lacked in effects and "eye-candy" we made up with our highly motivated, creative, and "fired-up" cast. Our main attractions this year consisted of a couple ghost effects, and the "bug room". The bug room was a room that visitors were shut into, the sound of bugs surrounded the building and insects were all over the window panes. As they stand there they see a person slowly approaching the window outside. Suddenly the person shatters the glass and the visitors were swarmed with bugs!

Canfield's Frightmare Forest 2002

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:42:05 -0500

The 2002 Season was a big leap forward for us. It was, however, very humbling as well.

In 2001 all music was played from little CD players in each area of the forest. All scares were done by real people. All special effects were also controlled by actual people. In the 2002 season we automated all of the music, and many of the special effects. We also began to use animatronics to scare people. We had believed that adding the computers would decrease the number of volunteers needed to run the forest. We couldn't have been any more wrong. Our need for volunteers increased from the year before!

This year yielded 7 confirmed urinations. In fact, this was the first year that we decided to actually keep track of this kind of thing. Now, its a requirement, and we have complex algorithms and a UTS (Urination Tracking System) in place to keep a good handle on our actual urination numbers!

Highlights from 2002 include 'Big Poppa', a simple pop-up witch prop that screamed VERY loudly when you passed by. Dont forget the vortex tunnel, which hasnt made anyone terribly sick yet. Possibly the most popular effect of our haunt this year was our exorcism room, which you experienced as a finale.

2005 Freedom Festival Parade

Mon, 27 Jun 2005 10:11:26 -0500

Jan 15th, 2005 - Trip to drop off new props

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 13:52:29 -0600

Canfield's Frightmare Forest 2003

Mon, 13 Dec 2004 18:29:19 -0600

The 2003 season was another step forward for us. Our attendance doubled from the year before, and we expanded our trail and volunteer base. In accordance with what we always do, the entire haunt from 2002 was demolished, and rebuilt from the ground up.

This year, the Cedar Rapids Gazette listed the Frightmare Forest as the only haunted attraction in their annual "Top 10 Things to do in Eastern Iowa in the Fall" feature that ran in early fall of 2003. This was entirely unexpected, but wholeheartedly welcomed! Hopefully, we will make that list again in 2004! Check out additional press we have received in years past in our press section.

Just like in previous years, the volunteers we had were nothing short of phenomenal! Huge thanks go out to the staff who accepted scripted parts. They manipulated those parts into something that was really terrifying to those who were paying attention. Of course, its hard to pay attention when you are constantly looking over your shoulder for the next ghoul! Along those lines, the rest of our actors were equally terrifying jumping out from the dark corners and recesses of the forest!

We successfully raised the bar for local haunted attractions and have stepped up as the premiere haunt in Eastern Iowa. In 2003, we more then doubled our record for the number of urinations ("wettings") in the haunt. With an official tally of 37 confirmed wettings, expect to see that double in 2004!

Frightmare Forest 2004

Mon, 13 Dec 2004 18:24:22 -0600

We are still in the process of collecting all the photos from Frightmare Forest 2004, so there's not much to see here but check back in a bit!