Indiana's Largest Haunted Attraction Earns A Top "Fear Factor" Spot

Indy ScreamPark opening Fri., Sept. 23, features five spine-chilling attractions in one location.

Anderson, Ind. - America's Best Haunts, a national ranking of haunted attractions, lists Indy ScreamPark among its 15 top U.S. haunts for 2011. Its massive fear factor also earned the park Newcomer of the Year in 2010. Indy ScreamPark is Indiana's largest haunted attraction situated over 50 acres in the rural woods of Anderson, Ind., northeast of Indianapolis.

Anyone brave enough will come face-to-face with some of the most fearsome, horrifying characters and scenarios in the haunted-house industry. From its opening moment at 7 p.m., Fri., Sept. 23, 2011, and throughout the Halloween season, thousands of people are expected to visit the 50-acre park's five, distinctively themed zones of horror:

Infected: This brand new experience is not the traditional corn maze one would expect to find in rural Indiana. Those who venture into this labyrinth of tall cornstalks will find themselves living the story of an entire village ordered by the government to be contained. Guests will discover the secrets behind this mandate as they make their way around the maze, avoiding contact with the locals to prevent further spreading of this fear infection.

Nachtmahr: German for 'Nightmare', this remarkable haunted attraction stretches for more than 8,000 square feet and features animatronics, computer generated images, sound, lights, and live actors in 20 detailed and terrifying scenes.

Kurayami: Japanese for 'Black Out' uses the absence of light to accentuate and accelerate fear. Only the bravest will survive the absence of light, which becomes a weapon to the traditional Japanese warriors inhabiting Kurayami.

Backwoods: Locals avoid this small corner of Deadstone National Park. They know the stories of the infamous Tate family who has called these woods home for more than five generations. The Tates have closely guarded their isolated lands for decades, and their backwoods is a horror tale for guests being led through it. By the end, even the toughest thrill-seekers will be wishing they had stayed on the main roads.

Bedlam 3D: This sensory overload features custom sound, video, illusions, even crazed clowns. Special 3D glasses complete the total loss of control guests experience inside Bedlam, where they quickly learn the futility in depending on their own senses and depth perception.

Families and younger children may want to stay on the Monster Midway where they can play zombie paintball or casketball, and freakish characters greet them as they freely roam the grounds.

Indy ScreamPark keeps its tradition of honoring those in the military or public service. All qualifying EMTs and police and fire officials receive free access for themselves and their families on opening weekend, Sept. 23 and 24. To qualify for the free entrance, guests must show their military or public safety ID cards.

"Every year we improve the haunt and bring it to the next level," said John Kennedy, producer. This year, Indy ScreamPark is truly a destination for the entire evening. We have an entirely new attraction, Infected, which we believe will take corn mazes to a whole different level. We also totally revamped our Monster Midway, making it a destination in itself."

General admission is $25, with VIP admission available at $35, and includes front-of-line-privileges as well as two times through the attraction in a single night.

For exact dates, hours of operation, and additional information about Indy ScreamPark, visit www.IndyScreamPark.com.