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IT WAS Friday the 13th and a full moon shone on a night filled with screams of horror and extreme terror.
Now into its 13th season, we enjoyed at an exclusive look of what notorious interactive horror experience, Farmaggedon, has to offer this year.
For those who have never fallen victim, Farmaggedon is at the site of Farmer Ted’s off Flatman’s Lane in Downholland, near Ormskirk.
Upon entering, it’s high energy from the word go and almost immediately we had our first scream as a zombie jumped out at us.
Rock music such as Rob Zombie blasted out and set the tone that this was going to feel like a real life horror movie.
We made our way to the Zombie Arms pub for some evil spirits and were greeted by some on the way.
Owner Mark Edwards could be found lurking among the ghouls and said: “All this area is new and it’s the first year we’ve decided to serve alcohol with the Zombie Arms pub.
“We start planning in about April/May time and come up with new ways every year to make Farmaggedon bigger and better and create fresh ideas.”
After being reassured that there were no live spiders, we moved on to the new bar, which is a brighter area, and you can really see the expertise and craftmanship that has gone into each and every costume here.
There was an excellent variety of costumes with interactive props such as a squealing pig man being dragged around on a lead with a giant meat cleaver, a demonic clown with a giant jack-in-the-box and a cabaret lady with a real albino python.
Then on to the first haunted house of three – the Beast of Terror – where we navigated the labyrinth of corridors, crypts and caverns with ghouls moaning and banging on the walls.
The atmosphere took over quickly, leaving behind the energy and hustle and bustle of the outside and once inside, it really doesn’t seem like you’re actually on a farm in Ormskirk.
It was then on to the next house – The Meat Locker. Definitely some more gruesome sights in this one – flesh hungry creatures, cannibalistic kitchens and lovely left-overs on display.
House number three was Contagion, which needs 3D glasses to navigate around a house adorned with plenty of terrifying 3D graffiti artwork.
It is a toxic mess. The mutants inside are after their next victim and it’s hard to escape with the floors and walls moving – and even a kaleidoscopic floor.
Having survived the three haunted houses, it was then on to shoot some zombies.
The Zombie Outlaw Paintball experience was an absolute highlight of the attraction
You’re taken out to the Zombie Outlaw Protection Wagon to shoot zombies which pop out, then on to the decontamination area which is outside, in a maze.
At one point, you turn a corner and see a man with a mask menacingly wielding a chainsaw – which you know is real because of the smell of petrol.
Many people found this to be the scariest aspect in the attraction, so be warned as they do chase you.
After getting out alive (just), we then went on to enjoy the entertainment on offer such as bands, fire-breathers and cabaret shows.
It’s clear that the attraction’s creators have put a lot of thought into not only how it looks but also the story behind each attraction and the characters are very much actors with their own storylines.
It’s a varied experience with high-energy at times and surrealness and creepiness at others.
Overall, a really excellent horror attraction that can certainly rival anything America or bigger cities have to offer.
Farmaggedon 2019 runs 7–11pm on selected evenings in October and November.
For more details, visit: farmaggedon.co.uk