Screaming people, zombies roaming the streets, Dracula begging for your blood. To many this is some kind of horrible dream, right? Nope, beginning this weekend, it is Six Flags Astroworld’s Annual Fright Fest. Fright Fest runs Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 4 until Nov. 2. There are numerous things for everybody, young and old, to do.Six Flags will still offer its normal rides but have put a Halloween twist on the rest of the amusement park. The park offers three haunted houses: Time Terror, Gothica and Fantom Funhouse of Fright in 3-D. Time Terror, invented by Phineas T. Flags, is a time machine that transports people back to the horrors of mid-1800’s London to deal with things like Jack the Ripper and werewolves. It is recommended for guests 10 years old and over. Gothica is a haunted gothic castle that supplies terror at every corner. Fantom Farmhouse is filled with demented carnival clowns. This house has numerous 3-D special effects for guests that dare to enter the clowns’ lair. The hours of operation for the Haunted Houses are Fridays from 7:13 p.m. until midnight, Saturdays from 5:13 p.m. until 10 p.m. and Sundays from 5:13 p.m. until 9 p.m.There are eight spooky shows to entertain guests. There are some old favorites including Boogie Bands and Dr. Fright’s Final Freak Out. There are four new shows that will give some new spice to Fright Fest 2003. Arania in Wickedland is a wicked version of Alice through the Looking Glass. Ritual of Fire is a show full of fire and tribal rhythms performed by Houston’s Empyrean Fire Tribe. Sounds of the Dark Crypt is a concert performance by the undead performing pop and rock music with creepy lighting effects. Finally, Merlin’s Mysteries and Mishaps is an interactive magic show for people of all ages.For the children 12 and under, there is Looney Tunes Spooky Town. This area will include trick-or-treating through a maze with the Looney Tune characters. There will also be Tales of the Dragon which is interactive story telling with a baby dragon and the Creepy County Carnival, which will include sing-a-longs and crafts. Children 12 years old and under can wear costumes but for safety reasons, masks are not allowed. Spooky Town hours are Fridays from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., Saturdays from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m., and Sundays from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.Special events during Fright Fest include Dracula’s Blood Drive and 4th Annual Fright Fest Pooch Parade. Dracula’s Blood Drive will be on Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Six Flags Astroworld Guest Parking Lot located at 610 South and Kirby near Reliant Stadium. Donators will receive a UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Blood Bank T-shirt or tote bag and a complimentary Astroworld ticket good during Fright Fest. The 4th Annual Fright Fest Pooch Parade will benefit the Houston Humane Society. It will take place at Astroworld’s Center Stage on Saturday, Oct. 11 beginning at 2 p.m. Canines will wear Halloween costumes and compete for awards in a variety of categories.Park hours from Oct. 4 until Halloween are: Fridays 6 p.m. until midnight, Saturdays noon until 10 p.m. and Sundays noon until 9 p.m. The hours for Nov. 1-2 are 10 a.m. until 6.p.m. General admission is $39.99 plus tax and $24.99 for children 48 inches and under. Children 2 and under are free. Discount tickets can be purchased from Houston-area Krogers and Fiestas for $19.99 plus tax. For more information about Six Flags Astroworld’s Fright Fest call (713) 794-3295 or go to http://www.sixflags.com.
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