It's a successful night at a Widnoon haunted farm if a visitor is so scared that they wet their pants.
The Brosius family has made that a goal -- an award is given each year to the "haunter" who frightens the first visitor with a testy bladder.
"The first time you scare somebody or make them pee their pants -- you're hooked," Keri Wolfe said.
The Brosius Farm Haunted Woods is a family-run scare where visitors walk along a wooded path amidst dead "bodies," a maze, guillotines and about 20 lurking haunters. A few family members have built, created and set up every piece of the haunted woods that will host visitors will see.
The Brosius family has kept the show going for six years and participates in the event as scary characters, said Wolfe, a member of the family.
"We all like Halloween," she said.
For months, fake blood, knives and spiderwebs consume their lives. A committee meets in January and ideas start rolling for October's event.
"We're actually planning for next year," family member Frank Brosius said. "We try to change certain things every year at least."
Frank and his brother Jeff Brosius own the family farm. The two men, along with Wolfe and relative Tom Colwell, braved the rain Wednesday evening to continue setting up spooky stuff along the path in preparation for opening night.
Family and volunteers, including Boy and Cub Scouts Troop 677, mix in during the October weekends and during preparation to make sure visitors get their money's worth, Wolfe said.
Jeff Brosius's fiance Marsha Adams is the tour guide and Vicki Brosius, mother of Jeff and Frank, collects admission, Wolfe said.
With the exception of generators, Wolfe said, the haunted woods is "green" -- everything is reused or recycled. Eventually, the plan is to use wind turbines and solar panels to supply energy for the event, she said.
After helping the Widnoon Rod & Gun Club put on the show for a few years, the family took over the event, Jeff Brosius said.
"We developed a love for it," he said.
Although the screams and squeals are inescapable on the wooded trail, "we try to keep it family-friendly," Wolfe said. The walk -- or run, depending on a visitor's threshold for fear -- takes about a half-hour to 45 minutes.
But one stumbling block can keep visitors on the trail for much longer. Some have had to be escorted out of a dark maze at the end of the night, Wolfe said.
Tom Colwell, who plays "Beetlejuice," said seeing a visitor collapse or run away in fear is a great feeling.
"We have a blast doing it," he said.
His son Andrew Colwell began frightening others as a volunteer when he was 7. Now, at 18, Andrew Colwell's character and costume for this year's event is top secret, he said.
His scaring skills have been honed over the years -- he was last year's winner of the "golden skull" given to the haunter who makes the first person wet themselves.
At the end of the night, Brosius family members said they enjoy sharing stories about what happened while they roamed the woods.
Wolfe remembered when a haunter named "Clowny" "had a grown man on the ground in the fetal position" last year.
The event brings the family together for more than just preparation. The topic of conversation at any weekend dinner usually turns back to one thing -- Halloween.
Brosius Farm Haunted Woods, Widnoon
Today and Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31
7:30-11 p.m.
Admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12. Both prices are $1 cheaper with a canned good donation.
"Meet the Monsters" on Oct. 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Advance tickets, directions and information on becoming a "haunter" are available at www.BrosiusHauntedWoods.com
