During the month of October, the sound of screams coming from haunted trails takes over Piney Acres Farm. With clowns, gorillas and demons, there is a little bit of something to irk everyone’s fear.
Piney Acres is a family-owned Christmas tree farm that started in 1999. But Piney Acres is much more than that. This 73-acre agritourism land in Fortville, Ind., comes alive every holiday season, beginning with Halloween.
“It’s about seeing you guys enjoy yourself,” said Rex Zenor, owner of Piney Acres Farm. “It’s the hope that you will come back and purchase a Christmas tree because that’s what it’s all about — not just the farm — but all of life is about Christmas and celebrating of the birth of Christ. So when I see smiles on everybody’s faces, that makes it all worth while.”
The farm offers a haunted corn maze, hayrides, private parties, a gem mine, a playground and a pumpkin patch. This year, Piney Acres Farm added a Haunted Loft.
“This is the first year we have had it to this level and so far, we have had good response to it,” Zenor said.
As for the preparation and money that goes into producing, Zenor said it’s not uncommon for a location to spend more than $2 million in six weeks. In March, he attended TransWorld, a Halloween convention in St. Louis, and bought props from an attraction that went out of business last year.
“TransWorld is sort of like a ‘Star Wars’ convention for Halloween,” Zenor said. “The first year I went, I was just amazed. It’s crazy to see how many haunts there are across the country.”
The Haunted Loft takes guests through different rooms, each with a different scene. From a demon baby birth to a butcher table, participants have to watch their back for monsters the whole way.
“I have walked out to go check something, and I look up and I’ve been startled by the prop standing there,” Zenor said. “This year, the hair nearly stood on top of my head by being startled.”
Every year, they try to add more attractions. Next year’s plan includes building an activities barn with animals to help educate children about farm life.
“A kid comes here and sees a chicken and gets excited because for the first time, they get to see the chicken from the pictures in the coloring books,” Zenor said. “My goal is to get kids inspired enough to try farming through this sort of agritourism venue. It shows that you don’t have to own 5,000 acres to make a living.”
He said he was inspired to own a farm by a tractor ride when he was 10 years old.
“Follow your dreams and never give up on them,” Zenor said. “I have been fortunate enough to do mine. “
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