Contact:  Melissa Potter
September 29, 2006

Haunted Forest Opens on Friday the 13th

“Double Trouble” is what visitors will experience at this year’s Haunted Forest at Mountain Empire Community College. This particular monster received its name because of its menacing two heads. However, “Double Trouble” is just one of the many mysterious creatures one will find lurking in the woods behind MECC this October. Those who enjoy all things creepy will find the Haunted Forest’s opening date especially exciting since the event will begin on Friday the 13th.

For the past 11 years, the Haunted Forest has been one of the scariest attractions for area thrill-seekers. The event is staged each year by Environmental Science, Technology, and Criminal Justice clubs at MECC. It funds scholarships for the students who help design, create, and operate the event. A share of the proceeds also goes toward the John Martin Memorial Scholarship, established in 1989 in memory of a Lee County deputy who was killed in the line of duty.

“The more customers (who attend the Haunted Forest), the more scholarships we can provide,” states Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Cindy Ringley. “Some students might not return for classes in the spring if they didn’t have these scholarships.” In some cases, “they help fund their tuition and books.”

In addition to brand-new costumes and scenes this year, the Haunted Forest now has its own website, launched by MECC web designer Jonathan Parsons. The site features some back-story about what visitors can expect to see, hear, and experience at the event, as well as helpful information such as where exactly the Haunted Forest can be found on campus and what individuals should wear for the walk through the woods. The site can be accessed through a link on the MECC home page, www.mecc.edu.

The Haunted Forest adventure will be open to the public on October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $5 per victim. Both adults and kids are welcomed, although the event is not recommended for very young children. For more information, contact Ringley at (276) 523-2400, extension 264 or cringley@me.vccs.edu.

Picture Caption: Carrie Mongle flees from “Double Trouble”, a two-headed monster featured in this year’s Haunted Forest at Mountain Empire Community College. The event opens on Friday the 13th, and will be open to the public every weekend thereafter in October from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

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