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Knotts Scary Farm (KSF), is one of Southern California’s largest and haunting Halloween events. Conceived in 1973 KSF was originally a three night event, and is now a six week event celebrating its 47th year. What I appreciate about KSF is how the entire theme park is modified to fit Halloween. Not only do we get scare zones and mazes, but we also see the transformation of some fan favorite rides such as the Calico Mine ride and the Timber Mountain Log ride.
While I have not attended KSF for as many years as I have Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights what I love about this event is the old school feel of the mazes and the variety of shows offered as appose to HHN. For the past few years KSF held its annual Scary Farm line up event for season passholders and it was at this event that the announcement of mazes (new and returning), scare zones and experiences were unveiled. While I was not able to attend this year, thankfully the event was streamed live on Facebook. For this upcoming year we see the return of several mazes from last year: Dark Entities, Dark Ride, Paranormal Inc., Pumpkin Eater, Shadow Lands, Special Ops: Infected and The Depths. This year also brings the addition of two new mazes: Origins: The Curse of Calico and Wax Works.
With the announcement of all nine mazes here is my order of my most anticipated mazes for this year’s Knotts Scary Farm:
9: Pumpkin Eater: Can you survive a murderous 7-foot-tall creature that terrorizes the woods that surround The Hollow? Do you have what it takes to escape the Pumpkin Eaters wrath? One of the first returning mazes, Pumpkin Eater made its KSF appearance in 2017 and will be retiring after this year’s haunt. This was one of the first mazes I entered in 2017 and it was interesting to look at.
8. The Depths: Nightwatch mining crew members mysteriously go missing and the entire town begins to look at the tunnels that sit upon the town. With stories of horrors that lurk within the tunnels did the crew see their end at the hand of the creatures that live within the tunnels? This maze takes you through the tunnel where you will follow the crews path. This maze will be heavily detailed and you may even see an octopus 😊
7. Dark Entities: Space, the last odyssey…literally. Dark Entities takes us deep into space were a single station becomes invaded with a extraterrestrial mutation beyond imagination. This mutant begins lurking among the crew and feeds among the unwilling victims. Can you escape the mutant before its deathly force consumes all on board?
6. Paranormal Inc.: Ever been in a real haunted house? The Haunting on Hayden Hill will reopen its doors once again to those brave enough to step foot inside. Once inside the maze you will be led by the lead investigators as you walk through a haunted hospital where its patients were tortured by doctors and nurses a like for many years. As the spirits of the victims are detected throughout the hospital they begin to prowl on their newest patients (you) to torture. This has been a maze I have not been able to walk through as the wait times can be up to two hours. So this will be one of the first ones I will check out.
5: Special Ops: Infected: A continued fan favorite. In a small group you will battle through the zombie apocalypse as you go through city streets, and an underground sewer. One of the cool things about this maze is you are living in live action game compete with laser guns! You will be able to rack up points as you interact with the zombies and hit your target. There is also no additional fee for this maze which is a added bonus! Rack up those points and get those bragging rights for killing the most zombies and having the highest score in your group!
4: Dark Ride: Oh no clowns! Dark Ride takes use through an abandoned carnival ride where carnie folks continue to linger. Dark Ride takes those who dare through the terror of horrifying scenes and begs the questions: can you survive being trapped inside an abandoned carnival ride with no way out? A new aspect to this maze this year will be the addition of a gift shop that continues as part of the maze right before you exit.
3: Shadow Lands: What happens to samurai soldiers’ souls after they die? Shadow lands has been a fan favorite since 2016. This was one of the mazes I have not been through as the wait times can get long. What I am looking forward to about this maze is the story within the maze. One of the things I heard about this maze was the story line was great, the details of it was amazing and the scare actors within the maze were so good. Really looking forward to this maze…. this will also be the last year for this maze so its one I will be hitting up this year. Live by the sword. Die by the sword.
2. Wax Works: The first of the two new mazes coming to KSF this year, Wax Works tells the story of one time prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Scratch. Late at night he is working on hot wax masterpieces…which also contain bloody flesh. What I am looking forward about this maze is the design aspect of it. During the KSF line up event we were given a sneak peek of the maze design and from the set art and maze pieces revealed this looks like it is going to be a very detailed orientated maze. The façade for this maze will be one of the tallest this year so that is something to look forward to as well.
1. Origins: The Curse of Calico: The second of the two new mazes. Calico resident Sarah Marshall is on trial for crimes of witchcraft. As paranormal activity takes over the town the Green Witch rises and begins to curse the town and townspeople. The witches curse transforms all individuals who accused her into a horde of creatures with a desire for the living. I’m looking forward to this maze since it has to do with the history of calico that is known throughout Knotts Berry Farm and we also see the return of the green witch.
After you have gone through some mazes and want to take a break KSF offers a variety of shows and entertainment. The Hanging is a no hose barred parody show which takes on today’s most popular events of the last year. Conjurers- Magic and Myth combines magic and comedy with award winning magicians. Puppet Up! Brings you a uncensored improvisational comedy puppetry show. This show was created by legendary puppeteer Brian Henson (yes, Jim Henson’s son). Awaken the Dead, features music and performances from live DJs throughout the night at Fiesta Village. The scare zones are lots of fun to walk through. This year there will be four (CarnEVIL, Forsaken Lake, Ghost Town Streets and The Hollow) and more than 1,000 monsters lurking at every corner. Also, all Knotts rides (except Camp Snoopy) will be open throughout the night so if you need a break from the mazes enjoy some rides.
Something new that I will be experiencing this year for KSF is the pre-dinner meal known as the Boo-fet (get it :)). This meal offers all your Knotts Berry Farm favorites: Mrs. Knotts chicken, boysenberry pie and so much more. The boo-fet begins about 2 hours before the start of KSF and purchase of the boo-fest allows you early entry to select mazes and hour before the event begins and also a souvenir cup with unlimited drink refills for the night. This event has a cost of $35 which is very reasonable. So, if you want to get a few mazes out of the way before the lines get crazy the boo-fet is something to consider.
There you have it, my order of anticipated mazes for KSF. Looking forward to experiencing mazes I have not yet been able to see and to revisit some old favorites. It’s officially October….Happy Haunts everyone!
