Frightful fun at Darien Lake

The days may be getting shorter and the temperatures cooler, but the season continues at Darien Lake Theme Park — which has undergone its annual Halloween-themed makeover for Family FrightFest, running Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 9

“We have a lot of new things going on, and a lot for families to do,” said Cassandra Okon, Darien Lake public relations manager. “We’re calling it fun for the family, and fun for the fearless.”

On the kid-friendly side of things, a new feature of 2011 is Old McDonald’s Haymazing Adventure, a hay maze near the Adventure Isle kids section … which will undergo its own makeover as Booville for the event.

The Thomas the Tank Engine show at Adventure Isle/Booville will have its own spooky metamorphosis — to Trick, Treat and Dance-A-Long with Thomas & Friends, which features songs to get kids and families up and dancing to “The Twist,” “Limbo” and “Shout.”

“We’re making it Halloween-themed,” Okon said. “It’s a really interactive show,  There will also be, in the Adventure Isle area, pumpkin painting and a trick or treat trail for children. There’s a lot in store for families.”

Other shows for FrightFest include Cliff’s Magic Show in the Grande Theatre and the LaserBlast Spooktacular, which takes place nightly 10 minutes after the park closes.

Besides the child-friendly fare at Adventure Isle, there are also attractions designed for those who like things a little more creepy.

“At night, we call it fun for the fearless,” Okon said. “There are two new things. We’re incorporating a Grim Reaper Barge and a Haunted Grave Yard on the way to Nightmare Acres.”

Guests must pass through the graveyard — and by the Grim Reaper Barge on the lake — on their way to Nightmare Acres, a walk-through haunted farmhouse. And once visitors escape the haunted house, there’s more awaiting them outside in the form of a more spookier maze than the one outside Adventure Isle.

“Once they get through the haunted house, they think it’s over,” Okon said. “It’s not.”

Returning to this year’s FrightFest is the Fright Night Field Trip, a haunted bus tour that goes through the dark corners of the Darien Lake campground.

There is an additional $4 charge for Nightmare Acres, with a $10 fear pass available for both Nightmare Acres admission and front-of-the-line access to Nightmare Acres and Fright Night Field Trip.

Nightmare Acres and Fright Night Field Trip are not recommended for children 12 years of age and under. All children under 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.

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