By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Crypt in Palco is promising to scare some fun into you while also raising funds for a good cause.
Dan Thyfault, haunted house organizer, said visitors will take a walk among the dead through a two-story historical home, 701 Main St. in Palco.
The tour begins in a graveyard and then winds its way through 13 haunted rooms.
"You're either going to cry with fright or cry with delight," he said.
Thyfault said he didn't wanted to give away the scary fun, but the house includes actors, animatronics and projection, as well as a real hearse that is parked out front.
There's also a maze and a portion that plays on claustrophobia.
"That's our goal," organizer Jake Webster said. "We want to scare you."
The tour includes strobe lights, but those can be turned off for people who are sensitive to them.
There are no age limits for the tour. Organizers can tone down the action if you choose to bring younger children through the house. Let the organizers know at the door. There are one set of stairs visitors will need to maneuver.
Last year, the haunted house had two young ladies who came from Wichita. They only made through the first room and were too scared to go on, Thyfault said.
"We've had some young brave ones too," Webster said.
This is the fourth year for the haunted house. Each year the organizers give funds to a good cause.
This year, funds will go to Corbin Jones' family. The 11-year-old from Hill City is battling lymphoma.
Volunteers from Hill City High School are volunteering at the haunted house this season.
The Crypt will be open from 7 to 11 p.m. the next two Saturdays, later if demand calls for it. It will take at least 15 minutes to make it through the tour. Cost is $10 per person.
The house has been pretty popular, drawing anywhere from 60 to 200 visitors in a night, Webster said.
Some of the nights, volunteers will be serving brats and drinks for $14.
The duo is already making plans for next year. They've purchased a 1975 ambulance, and they plan to make a photo booth out of it.
"We hope everyone comes down and has a good time, and we give to a good cause and help people," Webster said. "We just want to keep making it better every year. We want more and more people to come."
Corrected 8:40 a.m. Thursday to correct the name of organizer Daniel Thyfault. Hays Post apologizes for the error.