BRISTOL/SOUTHINGTON, Conn., Sept. 19, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Haunted Graveyard, New England's largest and scariest Halloween event, opens at Lake Compounce for its sixth year on Friday, September 30, and will remain open on weekends through Monday, October 31. According to the park's General Manager Jerry Brick, the Haunted Graveyard promises to be scarier than ever this year, with the addition of two new spinning vortexes, and, as always, a portion of the proceeds will go to support Juvenile Diabetes.
The Haunted Graveyard began in 1991 when Ernie and Carol Romegialli's daughter, Johanna, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. By decorating his yard, Ernie hoped it would keep his daughter's mind off of candy. Every year, the displays continued to get bigger and bigger, and eventually outgrew the Romegialli's yard. Thus, the largest Halloween attraction in New England was born.
Proceeds from The Haunted Graveyard benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. To date, the event has raised more than $300,000 for Juvenile Diabetes Research.
The event is a mammoth walk-through that features six haunted houses and a graveyard linked by a labyrinth of terrifying trails. This year even more detail will be added to each house which will create unusual special effects and a countless number of scares.
The vortex tunnels are a new feature to the haunted trail that will use lights to create depth and spin, giving the tunnel an endless effect.
"Each year we try to increase the 'scare factor' to keep our visitors wondering what will happen next," said Romegialli. "We are excited for this year's event and promise a thrilling experience for everyone that visits us."
"This annual event, which we like to rate as PG - Pretty Ghoulish, is intended for adults and mainly brave children," added Jerry Brick, GM at Lake Compounce. "The Haunted Graveyard is a great event, and the cause is so worthwhile. We're proud to be involved."
The Haunted Graveyard begins Friday, September 30 and will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, plus Monday night, October 31. The Haunted Graveyard's virtual queue system improves the visitors experience by helping to limit waits in line.
Many Lake Compounce rides will be operating, and park gates open at 5 pm. each evening. The Haunted Graveyard itself will open at dusk. Lake Compounce will operate its rides and attractions until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 pm on Sundays. There will be no rides and attractions operating on Monday, October 31. Only the Haunted Graveyard will be open.
The combo admission rate for both rides and The Haunted Graveyard is $24.95 and $19.95 for children under 12. Rides only or Haunted Graveyard only costs $16.95 for adults and $11.95 for children under 12. Unlimited free soda is included with admission. Group rates are available for combo admission tickets only, for groups of 15 or more with advance reservations.
For more information, call (860) 583-3300, or the 24-hour hotline at (860) 280-3399. You can also visit www.lakecompounce.com or www.hauntedgraveyard.com.
Note to Editors: Haunted Graveyard images are available on the park's web site at www.lakecompounce.com. Go to the press room, and click on Haunted Graveyard and a wide selection of images are available for your review and use.