St. Louis prepares for the haunted holiday season

Haunted attractions around St. Louis are eager to open their doors to visitors. Most college students enjoy taking brave and adventurous walks through haunted houses, mansions and graveyards, while others enjoy riding in old squeaky wagons through dark and unfamiliar territories.

"I just like being scared," said Sana Alam, graduate student, biochemistry and biotech.

The Darkness, Silo-X and Tombstone Haunted Ghost town are a part of Scarefest 2005 and also some of the top 10 haunted attractions in America. The Darkness is located in Soulard. It is a two-story building offering two events for the price of one.

Before entering the first attraction, people are placed on an elevator and shaken back into the time of the "Long Lost Tomb of Wapwawet." Groups of dead warriors chase and terrorize people through the archaeology exhibit of skeletons, mummies and creatures of the underworld. The second attraction is located up a dusty stairwell and a surprise to uninvited guests.

Silo-X is located off Highway 141 in Fenton, Mo. but well worth the drive and the wait.

This year's feature is the "Endless Green Fog of Toxic Death." As guests wait patiently in long lines, the Gull Band offers humorous musical entertainment. Once inside, people will experience a secret government science experiment gone haywire.

Fearful guests will face an abandoned funeral home and graveyard, dangerous tunnels, and a frightening military ride. Just when you think it could not get any worse, a mysterious creature lurks in the shadows.

The Tombstone Haunted Ghost Town is new to Scarefest this year. It is located off highway 61 and 67 in Kinnswick, Mo. It offers a haunted hayride where "souls of the living are transported to souls of the dead."

Guests will take an amazing ride through a ghost town and then get dropped off at a haunted hotel and courthouse.

"I enjoy haunted hayrides because everyone is just as scared as you are ... you are so scared and into the moment that you just grab people that you don't know," said Darryl Diggs Jr, senior, education.

Over the years, St. Louis has been known as one of the most haunted cities in America, which leads to many legendary stories. The Lemp Mansion is located in South St. Louis and is in a class all by itself.

"It is one of the best haunted houses in St. Louis. If I could rate it I would give it five stars," said Bracie Harris, senior, business management information systems.

It was previously owned by a dysfunctional family and is "one of the most haunted houses in America." Guests will wait anxiously listening to the history of the mansion before entering its creepy atmosphere.

Along with the Lemp Mansion, other rumors and haunted stories, Halloween attractions are based around real events such as: the Exorcist, Ghost of Jefferson Barracks, Old Courthouse, Lost Caves of St. Louis, Plant Avenue House, the Edgewood Children's Center and our very own Normandy Hospital.

UM-St. Louis and the Residence Hall Association is hosting their annual Haunted Hospital. They are uncertain of the location at this time, but the event is free for everyone and convenient for UM-St. Louis students.

"In the past, the haunted house on campus has been fun and it is not that scary, in case you want to bring children. You also get candy at the end and you can enter as many times as you want," said Emily Ewings, sophomore, fine arts.

St. Louis has numerous attractions to get residents and visitors in the mood for Halloween.

Halloween Attractions in and around St. Louis * The Darkness in Soulard - 1525 S. 8th St. * Silo X in Fenton - N. Highway 141 & 13th St. * Tombstone Haunted Ghost Town in Imperial - 5901 Lindwedel St. * Lemp Mansion in South St. Louis - 3222 DeMenil Place