Some of the lighthearted traditions of October include hayrides, visits to the pumpkin patch, going to costume parties and eating lots of candy.

Then there are the darker traditions, like watching scary movies and walking through haunted corn mazes.

The most frightening activity of all? Going to Fear Fair.

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At the Freeman Field Industrial Park in Seymour, thrill seekers line up to experience this attraction, billed as the most award-winning haunted house in Indiana. Fear Fair is not for the faint of heart.

It was voted as one of the top five favorite haunted attractions last year, according to Coaster Nation’s 2017 Top Haunts. Fans throughout the United States and Canada voted for their favorites haunts.

The Seymour Jaycees organize and operate the attraction each year, and Brett Hays is the director and also the creative director of the show, said Angela Black, general manager of Fear Fair since 2013.

“To my knowledge, he is the only Jaycee left in the organization,” she said.

Black said a percentage of the proceeds from Fear Fair go straight back into the show. With past proceeds, they’ve also been able to purchase heart defibrillators for first responders in the community and surrounding counties.

Additionally, funds raised from Fear Fair over the years have helped build playgrounds and bought playground equipment for elementary schools.

“Our volunteers have also helped out at Anchor House,” Black said. “We helped remodel the kitchen at The Alley, and some of our volunteers helped with Shawn Malone’s Christmas meal distribution on Christmas Day.”

Black said she loves everything about Fear Fair; however, the scene most near and dear to her heart is the voodoo section. Black said she has poured every ounce of her creative blood into the set design and character creation in that area.

“We hosted Love Bites, a Valentine’s Day show, this past February,” Black said. “We fell in love with our vampires, so we have built them a castle and added them permanently to help our Plague witches reap havoc on the village.”

Black believes the vampires and castle are a wonderful addition to their 16th century theme. Updates have been made to Ascension and Voodoo and the Plague with all new animations and scenes this year, too.

“While I don’t want to give away any surprises, Silent Hill and Saw have been removed and replaced by Rockford Riot,” Black said. “Our entire show is now 100 percent original material.”

Black said they hope the addition of Rockford Riot will bring back some of the intensity that had been replaced by more subversive theater experiences in some of the other scenes.

Some other changes at Fear Fair this fall include the “choose your fear” option when purchasing tickets.

“If you choose extra fear, you’re given a glow stick, and that signals to the actors that you would like a little more attention,” Black said. “They can touch you, grab you or even pull you away from your group. Just drop your glow stick if things get too intense and they will back off.”

General admission allows Fear Fear attendees to have fun without worrying about being touched or physically interacted with by the monsters. If the scares are still too much, just say “monster be good” and the monsters are supposed to stop and focus on another victim.

Black said the merchandise and concession buildings also are different for this year’s Fear Fair. The new additions were built over the winter by their security manager, Patrick Jenkins.

“At the merchandise booth, customers can purchase a variety of items, such as T-shirts, hoodies and bumper stickers, all featuring the Fear Fair logo,” Black said. “There will also be an opportunity to buy the photo that will be taken before they enter the attraction.”

The new concession stand offers soft drinks, water, hot chocolate, cappuccino, mini donuts and various snacks.

Customers can avoid long ticketing lines by purchasing tickets online through fearfair.com. Before they get in line, they can pick up their hard copy at the will call window.

Tickets also are available at the ticket booth from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. Sundays.

Also this season, on a couple of select nights, the Seymour High School cheerleaders will have a surprise in store for guests waiting in line.

The “blackout” event will be conducted again this year on Nov. 2 and 3. This is where visitors can try to find their way through Fear Fair in complete darkness with only one glow stick per group, Black said.

Although some groups of visitors choose to run through the attraction, it typically takes between 30 and 40 minutes to walk through, depending on crowd size, making it one of the larger haunted attractions in the state.

Black said it takes about 75 volunteers to make Fear Fair happen, and they are always recruiting actors. Anyone wishing to volunteer may contact the Fear Fair Facebook page or go to the Fear Fair website for information on joining.

“If you wish to act in our production yet this season, we will get you in touch with our casting director, Oscar Jimenez, as soon as possible,” Black said.

The next event to look forward to will be Krampus, which involves throwing some snow around in December and giving guests a take on the Christmas Devil, Black said.

There is no age limit on the attraction, but parental discretion is advised for children under 13 years of age. Fear Fair is recommended for adults and teens.

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What: Seymour Jaycees’ annual Fear Fair

When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 8 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 3; also open 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 31

Where: 800 A Ave. East in Freeman Field Industrial Park, Seymour

Individual cost: $25 for either general or extra fear admission; $10 extra for fast pass

Group cost: $20 per person for groups of 15 or more (all tickets must be purchased in one transaction)

Information: fearfair.com or visit the Fear Fair Facebook page

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What: Trick or treat night with no scares, just fun. Fear Fair opens its doors for the little ones. See the attraction’s scenery as the children of the Fear Fair actors take the place of their parents in their scenes, and there will be non-food treats for the kids.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 (right after Seymour’s Downtown Trick or Treat event)

Where: 800 A Ave. East in Freeman Field Industrial Park, Seymour

Cost: $5 per family with a limit of five; two free adult admissions included with ticket purchase for one to three children.

Who: This event is for everyone, not just parents and children

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