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Haunted School ready for another frightening year

READY TO SCARE — The Haunted School of Terror, in Weirton, is ready for another season of scaring area residents. Located at Krazy ‘Bout Sportz, 2850 Weir Ave., the attraction features two floors of frights and one of the area’s largest indoor, climate-controlled mazes. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Halloween is only a few weeks away, and that means it’s time for the creepy-crawlies and ghostly ghouls to come out and play.

It also means another year of scares from the Haunted School of Terror, located at 2850 Weir Ave. at Krazy ‘Bout Sportz.

In its seventh year, the Haunted School of Terror includes two full floors of scares, with each room featuring a different theme geared toward frightening guests.

“We’re excited for another great year,” co-owner Patty Soplinski said.

The scares begin this week, running 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 4.

Regular admission, available both on site and online, is $15 per person, with a $25 VIP pass available. The VIP tickets include front-of-the-line access, a Haunted School T-shirt and glow stick.

Soplinski assured that even those who are regular attendees will find something new with this year’s Haunted School.

“Every year, we change roughly two to three rooms,” Soplinski said.

This year will feature two rooms new to visitors, but Soplinski said she didn’t want to say too much about them in order to keep the suspense.

As always, each tour will be concluded with a trek through the darkened maze constructed in the building’s gymnasium.

“The entire gym is covered in a maze,” Soplinski said, noting the path and features of the maze change from year to year.

A special “Fright Night” evening will be featured on Oct. 13, with a few extra guests making an appearance outside of the building at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. There will be no charge to watch the event unfold.

“That’s our big event,” Soplinski said, without giving away any details.

The night also will feature a performance in the front parking lot by Pittsburgh band “Hellin Back,” and a photo booth by Elite Casino Events.

Those interested in touring the Haunted School that evening will have an opportunity to purchase a special online-only discounted rate of $13.

Special “Lights On” tours will be offered from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 28, especially geared toward youth, or those who might be a little frightened to go through under normal circumstances. The cost for the Lights On tours is $5 for kids 12 and under, and $10 for adults.

Also, the final weekend, Nov. 3 and 4, will feature “Lights Out” tours through the attraction.

“They get nothing but a glow stick to go through,” Soplinski said.

Soplinski noted it takes between 40 and 50 volunteers to put together the scares each year.

Much of the design work, she said, was guided by Rich Soplinski and Jed Giacchino, with assistance from others, including Ed Giacchino, Vince Soplinski and Nikki Grossman. She also thanked Arthur Purcell and the West Virginia Ironmen semi pro football team, Terry Silver Owl, Amber Nest, Tami Smith and Angel Smith for their work.

This year’s Haunted School of Terror is sponsored by Weirton Lumber, Lyle’s Auto, Novelty+, Assure America, Iconic-Weirton, Tudor’s Biscuit World, Allietta Ford, Wine & Beverage Merchants and the West Virginia Ironmen Semi Pro Football Team.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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