By Charlotte A. Graham

countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com

NEW AUGUSTA — There’s something spooky, evil and scary lurking in the woods near a residence at 4336 Highway 29, South in Perry County.

Screams, eerie music and ghostly sounds are heard coming from this area around the same time each Friday and Saturday. Rumor has it that ghosts, goblins, ghouls and even dead people, have made their home in these woods and will remain here until Oct. 31. And everyone knows what’s celebrated at the end of the month — Halloween.

As a treat for thrill seekers and horror movie lovers, Ellisville residents Curtis and Brandi Lowery have joined forces with Petal business owner Debbie Creel, to create a mammoth haunted attraction called Creel Creek. The attraction, which opened Oct. 2., will open from 7 p.m. until on each Friday and Saturday so that people can experience “Terror in the Woods at Creel Creek.”

It’s an experience Brandi Lowery says is guaranteed “to scare the crap out of people.”

Imagine entering a driveway that leads to a home in the woods, only to discover that this driveway is a long, narrow dirt road on which only one vehicle can drive up or down at any given time. Then imagine finally reaching the end of the dirt road and catching a glimpse of what appears to be a nice well-lit dwelling.

As you get closer to the house, you notice two people seem to be waiting near a fence to welcome you to their home. You get closer and closer and once you get within a hand’s reach of the two figures standing at the fence, you see they are not human. It’s the skeletal remains of a man and woman. They’re smiling, but at this point visitors are not.

With horror on their faces, they wonder what’s waiting up ahead. Only the Lowerys, Creel and the woods know.

“Curtis is the brains behind this whole thing,” said Creel. “He comes up with the ideas and I just give him what he needs to get the job done.

“This has been a whole lot of fun for each of us. Seeing the expressions on people’s faces as they walk through is something to see.”

Curtis Creel, who has years of experience as a volunteer with Camp Fear, a haunted attraction sponsored by Ellisville State School, said he enjoyed developing props and scenes for Creel Creek. The 30-to 40-acre site gave him plenty to work with.

He purchased all types of items, including the mask used in the movie remake of Friday the 13th. “Everything is movie quality,” he said. “Everything was built by hand and we used as much authentic pieces from movie sets that we could.”

The Lowerys spent about five weeks, working 12 to 15 hours a day building the props for the 11 scenes at the attraction. It takes about 30 minutes for folks to walk through, or perhaps run through the attraction.

Be mindful, Creel Creek is not for those with weak hearts, pregnant or who have asthma. “It’s definitely not for the faint hearted,” Brandi Lowery said with a chuckle. “We have had a few people to have asthma attacks running out of here.

“We’ve also found a few shoes and scarfs that people haven’t come back to claim,” added Creel. “I guess they were too scared.”

Creel Creek’s general admission is $10 and $15 for a panic pass that allows immediate entrance.

For those who don’t want the “big fright” experience offered at Creel Creek, but are interested in a haunted attraction, there are other venues in the area. Here are a few:

• Camp Fear, a haunted attraction presented by Ellisville State School will be held Oct. 28-31. Gates will open at 7 p.m. each night and will close at 11 p.m. on Oct. 28-29 and midnight on Oct. 30-31. Camp Fear is held annually at Camp Rocky Creek Campground, just off State School Road, across from Ellisville State School on Hwy. 11 South in Ellisville. General admission is $10 per person or $20 for a “scare pass” which allows immediate entrance. Camp Fear is not recommended for children under 12. For more information call 601-477-5996 or 601-477-5600.

• The Sandersville Volunteer Fire Department presents Frightmare Forest III, a haunted woods attraction held in the woods beside the old Sandersville School, Oct. 28-31. It runs from 7:30 p.m. until nightly. Admission will be $5. Look for the signs on Hwy. 11. From I-59, take exit 104 to Sandersville and follow the signs. All proceeds go toward the Sandersville Volunteer Fire Department.

• The Tallahalla Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be hosting their annual Halloween Open House and Ghost Tour at the Deason Home in Ellisville on Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for 12 and under. All proceeds will go towards the DAR and the restoration and repair of the Deason Home.

• Jones County Junior College’s Student Government Association along with campus clubs and organizations, will be hosting its annual Treats in the Streets night on Oct. 29. A haunted house for older kids will be held in the old white house near the entrance to campus on Court Street. It will be open from 7:30-10 p.m. for $3. For more information call JCJC Student Services at 477-4030.



Note: A Halloween alternative story will run in Saturday’s edition of the Laurel Leader-Call.