Ready to scare the pants off you

POST FALLS - Each fall, Post Falls Lions members turn devilish - even beyond their normal behavior.

And thrill seekers love it.

"We have some warped minds," said Ken Cook, a Lions member.

Touting new surprises each year, a bargain admission and their haunted house being a community fundraiser, the Lions, in their 38th year of spooking people, believe they still have a lot to offer despite other locations piggybacking onto the haunted event theme in recent years.

"You get a good show for the money," Cook said. "This is our major fundraiser and it makes up three-quarters of our budget for the year. We're there to scare you and raise money doing it.

"The more we raise, the more we can put out to the community."

This year's haunted house will benefit the Post Falls High band and track team, New Vision High and Special Olympics. The high school programs and Special Olympics parents and advisers will volunteer at the house and/or provide spooks.

Other proceeds will be used for eye care and scholarships for college-bound Post Falls students.

Cook said haunted house visitors can always expect the unexpected.

"We've changed the direction of flow," Cook said. "That corner you used to go around and find something waiting ... well, you don't go around it anymore. You go another way. We've tried to mix things up. There's going to be some tight spots in there."

A cast of frightening characters - made gory by makeup artist Kathy Edwards - awaits in a variety of themed rooms.

"There's a gang of old friends waiting for you to come back," Cook said. "There's some real nice clowns in there and Drac (Dracula) will be there with his girlfriends. You'll find them when you go through - maybe. If not, they will find you."

There's a new graveyard, a mistake happening in an operating room, a dizzying trommel to put a spin on things, an electrocution and a surprise awaiting behind a window.

"We always look for volunteer patients to step forward in the operating room," Cook said.

If your pants are still dry, snakes, floating heads and vibrating floors could make a difference.

"The house is probably best for those 12 and older, but there have been younger kids who have handled it just fine and some adults who can't take it," Cook said. "No matter the age, everyone gets the same treatment."

The haunted house, recognized in the past as among the best nationally according to USA Today, has drawn about 7,000 visitors and raised around $30,000 in some previous seasons.

The haunted house at Fourth and Post between City Hall and Idaho Veneer opens tonight. Other dates are Saturday and Oct. 22-23 and 26-31.

Hours are 6 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 6-10 p.m. Oct. 26-28 and on Halloween. Cost is $6 for everyone.