by Nate Vaughn
A Waverly haunted house attraction is back again this Halloween.
“Front Yard Fright” is now in its fifth year of business. 19-year-old Zach Wiechmann, a 2008 Waverly-Shell Rock High School graduate, created the attraction in 2005. Since then, everything he’s made for the attraction is paid for out of his own pocket. He says they’ve seen attendance double every year, and last year they reached 1,000 people.
This year, because of city ordinances, a few adjustments had to be made. Smoke alarms and vents for the tarp-covered ceilings were added to the houses to help with fire safety.
Because Wiechmann works every year to expand and improve the attraction, “Front Yard Frights” is looking for a larger, permanent location after this season.
Wiechmann admits that because of the inclement weather this year, attendance isn’t quite what he was expecting, but he’s still excited about the turnout as Halloween approaches.
“I don’t know, people just like to get scared,” says Wiechmann. “I don’t know why, but I’m more than happy to do it for them.”
“Front Yard Fright” opened on October 9th this year, and will remain open through Halloween. There is no admission charge, but donations are accepted.