In a handwritten letter released from the depths of his lair last week, Merrill’s Haunted Sawmill CEO (Chief Executive Ogre) Vincent Mudgett announced the Haunted Sawmill will be open every every Friday and Saturday starting October 9, with a few changes.
“Good day, Haunt Lovers:”
“It is I, your old pal in all things Halloween, Vincent Mudgett. Vincent is very proud to announce that the Haunted Sawmill will be open this October. Your health and safety is our number one priority. Therefore, Vincent has put Phaedra the vampire in charge of developing a written policy to help us better protect you during these unusual times and still be safely able to open.
“As part of our Covid-19 policies all of our guests will be expected to wear a mask to the haunt (unless you are medically unable to do so or cannot wear one). We will have a large supply of masks available at the Haunted Sawmill in case you forget yours and need to purchase one. We have been hard at work redesigning the interior and exterior of the Haunted Sawmill to promote social distancing. We have greatly expanded our waiting areas outside so that people can maintain 6-foot distancing. And we have eliminated cluster points and contact areas inside the haunt.
“All of our volunteers will be wearing masks and our actors will maintaining their distance from you … not because you smell bad … but because we can still scare you silly from afar without getting into your personal space. We are also working on having most, if not all of our ticket sales be on-line via our website – hauntedsawmill.org – or via cashless transactions at the building. There will be discounted ticket prices for those who purchase tickets on-line. We will also still be offering discounted ticket prices for those who donate to our local food pantry. Our concession areas will be serving pre-packaged food for you to munch upon as you watch Vincent and his spooksters entertain you outside.
“Lastly, Vincent and his Board of Directors are looking at adding additional earlier start times for our Saturday shows. Those earlier times will be for families, people who really want to avoid any contact and those with other needs. Vincent greatly appreciates all of your love and support for the Haunted Sawmill. The responses we have received asking if we will be open have been overwhelming. The Friends of Vincent Foundation takes great pride in our annual fundraiser haunt. Through the Haunted Sawmill the F.O.V. is able to continue its mission to support youth activities, scholarships and other charities and events in our community that benefit children. We all have to change and modify our behavior to help protect everyone, especially in these times, and Vincent and his Scare Crew are taking every step we can to make that happen at the Haunted Sawmill. With your help and cooperation with our policies we can make this a safe haunting season for everyone. We look forward to celebrating our 10 th anniversary season – “the Spirit of Halloween” with you this October. Friend Vincent on Facebook for a chance to win free tickets and Haunted Sawmill merchandise and watch for more information regarding show times, special promotions and other news.”
Be scaring you soon …
Vincent