Spectacular Haunted House to debut this October at Janss Marketplace in T.O.
By Michael Picarella

pic@theacorn.com

Halloween fanatics might start preparation for their haunted houses in September or maybe even in August. But two years early? The Thousand Oaks Haunted House, which will take place throughout the month of October at the Janss Marketplace, has been in the works for almost that long.

While most people are thinking about the beach, barbecues and family vacations right now, the Esseff Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, has Halloween on the brain.

“Working in cooperation with the tenants of the Janss Marketplace, we hope (the T.O. Haunted House will) attract over 30,000 visitors our first year,” said event coordinator Todd Winokur. “Due to the size and quality of our event, people will travel from near and far, and they will return every year for a spine-tingling glimpse of what is in store for them each year.”

The T.O. Haunted House will include “The Circus of Screams,” an 8,000-square-foot, 28-room haunted house walkthrough under a black big-top tent. It will also include a 3-D matinee for kids called “Thousand Ghosts.”

Many people in the area might have gone down to Woodland Hills in past years to visit the Spooky House on Topanga Canyon Road. According to Winokur, that haunted house won’t return this year. But if you liked that attraction, you’ll love the Thousand Oaks Haunted House, he said.

“We’ll be the largest haunted house anywhere within a 30-mile radius,” Winokur added. Guests can expect the quality of the haunted house to be comparable to an attraction at Knott’s Scary Farm, he said.

“We’ve hired a professional haunted house company to do this. They’re called Dark Attraction (www.darkattraction.com).” Winokur said the T.O. Haunted House, which he hopes will be an annual event, is expected to cost about $250,000 to build. And it will be very scary.

Event coordinators suggest that haunted house walkthrough guests be at least 12 years old.

For more information, updates and hours of operation, go online to the official Thousand Oaks Haunted House website at www.thousandoakshaunt.com.

The Esseff Foundation, which is presenting the event, was founded in 1979. It supports and assists corporations and foundations that are organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children and animals.

“This event will not only benefit the tenants of the Janss Marketplace and the city of Thousand Oaks, but the community will enjoy the benefits as well,” Winokur said. Proceeds will be donated to the Area Housing Authority of Ventura County, which is a nonprofit group that provides opportunities and assistance to people in need of affordable housing; Many Mansions, which is a nonprofit affordable housing and service provider; and the Esseff Foundation.

Volunteers are still needed. Haunted house organizers will host auditions for monsters, ghouls or goblins at the Janss Marketplace from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 27. Actors must be 16 and older (no experience required).

“We also need construction crews to put up and break down, we need sound and special effects people, stage crews and that type of thing,” Winokur said.

Winokur said the Esseff Foundation is still looking for sponsors for the haunted house event. For information, call Winokur at (805) 208-3706.