Howl-O-Scream

[Mushroom]

Here's a look at the current progress on Lumberhack; work seems to be coming along nicely on the new house. Thanks to Matthew for heading out to the park today for the update!

[instagram=https://instagram.com/p/6pqz4YkQIY/]

 

[Zachary]

I am seriously way too excited for both Lumberhack and Cornered. Both concepts seem flawless.

 

[ZebraShoes]

Who's going opening weekend? We're totally cramming a Pumpkin themed baby shower and HOS on Sept. 26th! And taking full advantage of the Bring a Friend Free ticket which I got earlier this week. I know opening weekend is famous for low crowds and a low performance from the actors, but I love going then because I can really examine everything while it's fresh. I also like seeing how things change throughout the season.

I'll be there opening day around 1:00ish. And probably every other HOS day until the season is over.

 

[TheMostHappy]

I find it fascinating that a few years ago Nicole had a liberal opinion about HOS in comparison to the larger community and now the community's standards and expectations have been eroded so much to where her opinion represents the conservative side of the debate.

I really am amazed by how the community has shifted so much... And I think it's very telling of the quality of the Haunt event BGW has been putting on for the last handful of years.

* Zachary points to his signature

I don't think I understand what you're saying here- I see Nicole's stance versus others (including mine) as not being indicative of the quality of the event but the direction. My feeling is that the direction- sharing focus between party and scary- has IMPROVED the quality of the overall event. Clearly she feel's differently- which is fine.

I'm thinking/hoping that I'm misunderstanding what it is you're saying, because it's pretty insulting to the people who like how the event has been in recent years to imply that they only feel that way because they've lowered their standards. I don't view anyone here as having higher or lower standards- just different standards that stem from enjoying different things.

 

[TheMostHappy]

I find it fascinating that a few years ago Nicole had a liberal opinion about HOS in comparison to the larger community and now the community's standards and expectations have been eroded so much to where her opinion represents the conservative side of the debate.

I really am amazed by how the community has shifted so much... And I think it's very telling of the quality of the Haunt event BGW has been putting on for the last handful of years.

* Zachary points to his signature

I don't think any of our opinions represent an eroded view of the event, but I truly do appreciate the sentiment.

People change. They see a broader picture.

Okay sorry to double post but in the interest of fairness, I don't think that's an accurate thing to say either. Just like I feel the difference of opinions on this issue is not due to some people having higher or lower standards, I also don't think it's due to some people looking at a narrower or bigger picture.

I don't think Nicole is being narrow-minded when she wants the event to be purely haunt- she's just expressing what she thinks would make the event more successful with people who think like her. Conversely, I'm not looking at the big picture when I say they should keep the party atmosphere in some areas- I am just expressing that I enjoy the party atmosphere and want it to be represented.

I get that some people are making the argument that, though they personally don't like the party atmosphere, they want it to stay for "big picture" reasons- it brings in more money that can be used to benefit the event overall. I just want to clarify that, while there may or may not be truth to that, my personal opinion about keeping the bars/alcohol/parties has nothing to do with those big picture concerns and everything to do with the fact that I enjoy them and they improve my experience.

 

[Nicole]

To be clear, I never said I want it to be purely a haunt.  I said I believe the haunt and party interfere with each other and that BGW should get off the fence and pick a direction.  Barring that, I think they should separate them in some way.

I have no objection to either a dance party or the bars, as long as they aren't in the middle of major paths.  If you look, last year I proposed a concept with a real dance party with an actual DJ inside the Festhaus to work with Night Beats.

I have always said Halloween parties are valid, and I used to get beat up for that perspective.  Now somehow I am being accused of trying to turn this into a dry event.

I am also always incredibly careful to couch my thoughts as being my opinions and some bigger "truth." And I have never thought that my views were more valid or better informed.

The notion that my views are narrow-minded is pure rhetoric.

Regardless, I sincerely thank you for defending me!

 

[wombat96]

While Matthew beat me to it, literally, he was sitting next to me on the train and took his photos first, I guess I should stay true to my word.

Here's one of the shacks that they were constructing. I also saw a outhouse so I wouldn't be surprised if we see a scare from ROAE return.

Nothing is really going on with Cornered, there were two little shacks and I swear I saw a little baby windmill, it was adorable.

The door for Catacombs was open, and no, I did not enter the house but I noticed that the brick sewers at the ending were up.

The queue for Catacombs has these nice looking stanchions and as you can see something was being built and I have no clue as to what it will be.

The Demon DJ's lighting rig has been put in to place.

Nothing could be seen for Scarlett's Revenge, but, I received an update from one of the construction workers. About 90% of the walls have been put up and the theming should start being put in to place this week.

 

[Sky]

Nicole, first of all I want you to know that "see a broader picture" is in no way a dig at you. I felt that several members were beginning to become too hung up on one particular issue so I posted that as a little push for people to remember that there are several other moving parts to this event. After you posted that you felt insulted, I was a bit taken aback and reacted in a way that was a bit brash, and for that I apologize. After reading TheMostHappy's analysis/mediation of our discussion, I began to understand much better the view on your side (and for that TMH, thank you - check your rep). In all actuality I agree with you. Personally I believe the event should show some kind of variation in offerings, however with a clear bias (hopefully toward a haunt).

I was concerned that we were solely looking at one aspect of a massive operation. You and others who agree with you, are not narrow-minded - I simply overreacted to something that I misjudged.

I find it fascinating that a few years ago Nicole had a liberal opinion about HOS in comparison to the larger community and now the community's standards and expectations have been eroded so much to where her opinion represents the conservative side of the debate.

I really am amazed by how the community has shifted so much... And I think it's very telling of the quality of the Haunt event BGW has been putting on for the last handful of years.

* Zachary points to his signature

I'm thinking/hoping that I'm misunderstanding what it is you're saying, because it's pretty insulting to the people who like how the event has been in recent years to imply that they only feel that way because they've lowered their standards.

This however, stunned me. Absolutely stunned me.

TheMostHappy is completely correct.

I enjoy this event. I have always enjoyed this event, no matter if this board "let me" or not. I have never been personally let down by this event, or really any other event for that matter. What hurts me is that someone said that if you've enjoyed your experience, then you've settled. I have had the same standards for this event for upwards of ten years, mainly formed by observing its trajectory over time. I think it has grown, and quite honestly flourished. My standards have never really changed, unless they have heightened due to the experience.

I do not settle, and to say that some of us do is defamation.


Fantastic pictures Connor and Matthew! Thank you for keeping us in the loop. I'm two hundred miles away and I sincerely appreciate it. I'm wondering if that woodwork in Connor's photo near Catacombs is for the facade wall blocking the view of the seating - or possibly they will build some thematic structure for the planting bed?

 

[TheMostHappy]

To be clear, I never said I want it to be purely a haunt.  I said I believe the haunt and party interfere with each other and that BGW should get off the fence and pick a direction.  Barring that, I think they should separate them in some way.

I have no objection to either a dance party or the bars, as long as they aren't in the middle of major paths.  If you look, last year I proposed a concept with a real dance party with an actual DJ inside the Festhaus to work with Night Beats.

I have always said Halloween parties are valid, and I used to get beat up for that perspective.  Now somehow I am being accused of trying to turn this into a dry event.

I am also always incredibly careful to couch my thoughts as being my opinions and some bigger "truth."  And I have never thought that my views were more valid or better informed.

The notion that my views are narrow-minded is pure rhetoric.

Regardless, I sincerely thank you for defending me!

You're right- I misspoke, I do remember even last year you talking about separating the party and scary aspects so it's inaccurate to say you want a purely haunt event. Sorry about that!

What I was trying to address should more accurately be thought of as the camp that feels the party and scary detract from/interfere with each other when they are both front and center in different areas of the park, and the camp that is happy to have them both side-by-side without separation and with relatively equal prominence and attention. And honestly I think I lot of that boils down to just a function of personality which one you like better. Which is why discussions like these are unlikely to result in any converts- it's just a matter of personal taste and preference.

 

[Nicole]

Completely agree!

 

[Jacques]

Well, I work at Jamestown Settlement now, so it's about 5 minutes away. You bet your boots I'll be going after work! Problem being is I'm directing a show that premieres in November. SO lots of weekends we have rehearsals.

Speaking of which, anybody wanna see a free production of Macbeth? November 6.7.813,and 14th? LOL

In all seriousness, I'll be going a lot more this year, plus I will be going to Haunt and HHN. I'll be almost sick and tired of Halloween....keyword almost.

Any word on when the other decor will be starting to go up?

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

Unfortunately, despite 4 times around on the train, and many shots through the employee fence I wasn't able to get any good, viable shots of cornered that showed other things than that current brownish building. I will describe what I saw from glimpses through the fence on many trips by on the train.

The most interesting prop was a small "crooked" house. It looked quite freaky. The first thing that popped into my mind is that it looked like a demented version of a house Dr. Seuss would draw. I don't expect to be much more than a thematic piece in the maze. Maybe it was the windmill that Connor thinks he saw?

Also, there was another "barn" structure that looked about the same size as the brownish building that can be seen in pictures above. However, the paint detailing on the outside was downright amazing. It looked gory without being physically put in a "run-down" state. So far, Cornered is looking great, and it makes me very excited. I'm just sad I couldn't get any good pictures of this stuff.

 

[Red]

Haven't been on here in forever, but I figured since Howl-O-Scream was right around the corner I'd come back and check things out! Pretty excited for Lumberhack and Cornered, though I felt Cornered would fit better where Lumberhack is being set up. Oh well, hopefully Cornered looks like a cornfield and not a parking lot. Also, thanks to everyone posting photos of how the mazes are coming along! Really enjoy seeing those.

 

[bgbackdoor]

facebook video via bgw

https://video-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xfp1/v/t43.1792-2/11914621_10153214564963315_1270071916_n.mp4?efg=eyJxZSI6InZpZGVvX3ByZWZlcnJlZF90YWdzXzIwMTUwMTIxLHRoZV9sYXVuY2hlZCIsInJsciI6MTUwMCwicmxhIjoxMDI0fQ%3D%3D&rl=1500&vabr=437&oh=92a951c3455ca7d11980916bea6643c2&oe=55D82778

 

[Zimmy]

If it were up to me, after 6 no one under the age of 13 would be permitted in. Further there would be age restricted areas for 21 and over. The dance party stuff would be in a corner somewhere, where it did not block paths, and bartenders would be better trained to cut people off. Also the overall light level would be reduced.

you know my opinion of shows.

 

[Jacques]

Well, as long as they don't enforce a 21+ thing until next year (When I'll be 21) I'll be happy.In all fairness, they just need to train their bartenders better on when to tell if someone has had enough.As someone who has worked in the culinary dept. the best they do is say "If you think they've had enough, cut them off.Don't serve anymore alcohol to them."

I've also seen people serving alcohol feeling pressured to serve more alcohol to people.

Better training on what the signs of what is enough, and to have people who wont be peer pressured into serving alcohol.Having 21+ zones would just upset those who are in big groups of college aged people (18-25) who now either have to seperate or not go to the area. Why not do glow bracelets that are hard to take off?(like the type you see at clubs or hospitals) where a green one means 21+ green light. and a yellow one means 18-20, caution keep an eye open. under 18 is red. Don't let them in.

---

Hey, I heard some people saying Jack is back, yet i don't see anything on the website. Is this confirmed or rumor?

 

[Nicole]

We had 21+ beer gardens at all of our college events. As long as people expected it, they planned to be separated periodically.

 

[Jacques]

^ That being said, it's different between college event and an event catering to everyone. I would like to see it, if executed properly.

 

[Ben]

If it were up to me, after 6 no one under the age of 13 would be permitted in.  Further there would be age restricted areas for 21 and over.  The dance party stuff would be in a corner somewhere, where it did not block paths, and bartenders would be better trained to cut people off.  Also the overall light level would be reduced.

you know my opinion of shows.

I'm interested in how the park would enforce this, 13 year olds don't have ID's, and I know plenty of parents would be willing to lie so their children could go into the event.

And honestly the 21+ rule for the bar areas makes sense, nothing good will happen with anyone under 21 going into what is essentially a bar/nightclub

 

[lightninlady]

If it were up to me, after 6 no one under the age of 13 would be permitted in.  Further there would be age restricted areas for 21 and over.  The dance party stuff would be in a corner somewhere, where it did not block paths, and bartenders would be better trained to cut people off.  Also the overall light level would be reduced.

you know my opinion of shows.

I have to disagree with that. While I did turn 13 this year and it wouldn't affect me much, I know myself and plenty other younger people can handle it and quite enjoy it. Shutting them out simply wouldn't be fair. And that won't stop parents from lying about their kids age either.