One of America’s top hauntings is here in Delco
EDGMONT >> For over a quarter of a century, the Haunted Hayride at Arasapha Farm has been scaring its visitors with amazing props, digital FX, great actors and extraordinarily realistic professional makeup. This year, the “thrills and chills” attraction scooped up another national accolade and endorsement when CNN Travel named the Arasapha Farm Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride one of the eight best haunted house attractions across the U.S. (www.cnn. com/travel).
This wasn’t the first time that Delaware County’s Number 1 Halloween attraction has garnered national recognition. The Haunted Hayride, now celebrating its 28th year, has been featured several times on the Travel Channel and has been rated as the Number 1 Haunted Attraction in America by Hauntworld Magazine, USA Today and many other national publications. With Halloween only days away, the clock is ticking with limited chances left to get in the Halloween spirit and visit this national terrifying phenomenon before its final night on Oct. 31.
The Haunted Hayride is a
25-minute, action-packed, heartpounding ride through the dark forest of Arasapha Farm. The view along the way is filled with huge, detailed sets, giant monsters and more pyrotechnics than a Kiss or Pink Floyd concert. With scenes like a 100-foot long,
40-foot tall drive through insane asylum, a full-scale mockup of a New England church and a 200foot long cave, the Haunted Hayride is chock full of Hollywoodstyle sets and props. And then there are the scares.
With more than 75 actors each night and 25 scenes, it is no wonder why this event is always on the top national lists of the best haunted attractions. Every year, new scenes are added to enhance the creepy thrill factor and 2018 is no different. This year, along with some new scenes, more sound effects, more actors and more special lighting have also been added.
The Bates Motel, with its plethora of special high-tech effects, could give any Hollywood attraction a run for its money. Enhanced with a digital soundtrack and lighting, the Bates Motel takes Halloween to a new level of horror. With incredible realistic detail and stellar acting, it is no wonder why the Bates Motel is considered one of the best Haunted Houses in America. As guests creep through this show, they will see levitating spirits, floor boards that come alive, pictures that follow them, and custom animatronic props that are not seen anywhere else. The Bates Motel is a startling high-action haunted attraction and not recommended for children under 8 years old or people with heart conditions.
The third show in Arasapha Farm’s trilogy of terror is the “Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Trail.” It is a terrifying walk through a tall corn field and filled with buildings and sets, lots of animatronic monsters and more than 30 actors in full makeup and custom costumes. This event is like no other corn trail in the country and has fast become a favorite at the Bates Farm.
“Every year, we switch up scenes, add new twists and thrills, and make it bigger and better than the year before,” owner Randy Bates said. “We invite everyone to come on out and get their scare on!”
In addition to all the scary attractions, Arasapha Farm offers the younger set an on-site seasonal Harvest Hayride, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday through October. Featuring fun for the whole family, the nonspooky Harvest Hayride experience offers a petting zoo, sand box, straw bale maze, gem mining experience, pumpkin jump, 5-acre corn maze, pumpkin golf, a barnyard bounce, corn cannon, pillow jump and much more. The attraction is especially suitable for children in the 2-12 age group. Families can also take a hayride down to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch.
This year, several other new additions enhance family-friendly nights at the haunted farm. Visitors can visit the new mobile Escape Adventure Room on the property, for the low additional token price of $5. The mobile Escape Adventure Room is also available to rent for corporate events, birthday parties and other special occasions. Also newly opened this season is Gram’s Donut Shop, named after the late Anne Bates, the owner’s mother, who was affectionately called “Gram” by her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Visitors can now enjoy warm apple cider donuts, made fresh, right there on the spot. There is also a concession stand, across from Gram’s Donut Shop, that sells simple lunch and dinner foods, drinks and snacks.
The privately owned and operated Arasapha Farms is the creation of the Bates family. It’s all in the family for Randy and Anne Bates and their six children and 15 grandchildren, with most of the hard-working, creative clan playing a pivotal role in the operation of the farm and its variety of agritainment attractions. Randy oversees the entire operation, with wife Anne as his partner. Anne handles the back end of the business, everything from payroll for the staff of 330 employees to the business accounting and group sales. Son Drew is in charge of security and event staff. Son Ben, general manager, oversees construction and design. Daughter Veronica runs the concession stand and gift shop and daughter-in-law Nicole operates Gram’s Donut Shop. Nicole also manages the Harvest Hayride with another daughter-in-law, Maggie. Son-in-law Matt Brown, a Willistown Township police officer, oversees the EMT staff on site. Daughter Diana is general manager of the Bates Motel Escape Rooms (batesmotelescaperooms.com) and new Stryke Force Laser Tag facilities in West Chester.
Stryke Force Laser Tag, featuring indoor tactical laser tag fun, is the newest Bates creation. Located in West Chester at 540 E. Union St., near the popular Bates Motel Escape Rooms, Stryke Force Laser Tag is cutting edge and different than any other Laser Tag facility. Players use state of the art Battle Company weapons that look and feel like the real deal, in a twostory set-up with a Middle Eastern theme. Participants choose from over 30 riveting missions while competing in hostile warfare on a realistic Hollywood-like set. According to a press release, “Stryke Force Laser Tag is more than just a game. The war zone is perilous and the battle intense, so reflexes and quick wit are the best for survival. This is role play taken to the next level.” For more information and hours, visit strykeforcelasertag.com.
Come November, only a mere few weeks after the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride ceases active operation until next Halloween season, the Holiday Hayride will take over Arasapha Farm. The ambience will go from haunted and creepy to heartwarming and delightful when Arasapha Farm transforms for the holidays into a winter wonderland, beginning Nov. 23. Many local families have already made a visit to Arasapha Farm an annual seasonal tradition during the Halloween and Christmas seasons.
Guests this year, can expect huge light displays, a live-animal petting zoo featuring “Polo,” the friendly camel, a beautifully animated Santa’s workshop, and a sound-equipped seasonal hayride, choreographed with favorite songs of the season, through the rolling hills of Arasapha Farm, decorated for the season. Families can choose and cut their own Christmas tree from hundreds of varieties, view a live Nativity scene, get photos with Santa and warm up with cups of cocoa by a huge bonfire. For dates, times and more information, visit www.holidayhayride.com.
The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride is open every night now, through Halloween. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the attractions begin at dusk. Group rates are available. Also new this year, in addition to VIP and regular ticket pricing, is a special “Super VIP” ticket rate that includes preferred parking, a meal and drink, front-of-line privileges and a souvenir T-shirt. All level tickets can be purchased online in advance to save wait time or at the ticket booth on site.
Special nights coming up include “Family Night” on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when families can get $10 off each ticket, when purchasing four or more tickets, and “College Night” on Thursday, Oct. 25, when college students get $10 off ticket price with school IDs.
Arasapha Farm is at 1835 Middletown Road (Route
352), Glen Mills. For more information, visit www.thebatesmotel.com or call 610459-0647.