After getting a much later start then was intended, we finally pulled into Totem Pole Campground in the late evening. The weather wasn't as bad as predicted, or we were able to miss the worse of it. Had to drive through some very hard rains, but no hail or tornadoes.The office was already closed, but Stolloween's awesome display was there to greet us. I pulled up at lots 1 & 2 and announced from the car that BellaDonna was here. I could tell instantly that I had already missed a grand campfire gathering and HauntSpace "spirits" were flowing.
I asked GrimDaddy if he could possibly drive to lot 32 so we could use his car's spotlight to help setup our tent. I got much more than a spotlight when Wally and Scott pulled up! They brought their kids, and more HauntSpacers with them and the light rain had not dampened their spirits at all.
I was thrilled to see Wally, Scott, and Jessica again, but even though I knew PAHalloweenFreak was going to be there. I was still a bit shocked when someone walked up and said, "I'm Ginny." Gin? Our Gin? LOL It was so great to meet her. After a moment Woodhegm walked up as well. I'd recognize Goldie's lovely smile anywhere! So while we exchanged greetings the crew was hard at work setting up the tent.
As if setting up an unfamiliar tent without written directions. in the dark, in the rain, wasn't challenging enough... They were doing it timed by clock keeper Gin! Every few moments someone would ask... How's the time? They blazed through and the tent was ready to be occupied in seven minutes and 17 seconds complete with rain-fly attached! It was incredible and so much appreciated.
Next was airing up my new air mattress... which never seemed to get quite full. Grim suggested there might be a hole. I kept insisting there couldn't be, it was new... I wouldn't allow it! Grim flipped the mattress over and sure enough... There was a large hole... it looked like it was burnt. Before I could even get bummed over my new mattress being defective, Wally had started the patching process.
The directions recommended the mattress not be inflated for 12 hours after being patched, but since that wasn't feasible we decided to stay off of it as long as possible then try it. If I woke up on the ground the following morning, then Wally would try patching it a better way. The patch held and all was good. My helpers left us to get settled in and grab something to eat.
Rotting Robbie's demo was the first one scheduled for Saturday morning. KKrazy KKaren was surprised to see how young Robbie is, but thrilled he wanted to do the demo. I could tell Rotting Robbie was getting a little nervous when he was being wired with a headset mic. It was very windy Saturday and the wind was whipping through the microphone and knocking things down on the table, so I assisted Rotting Robbie and tried to keep things in place.
I was so very proud of my Grandson as he gave his demo and did an excellent at it, especially for a first timer. I was also very proud of him as he watched the following demos instead of running off to play. He was VERY interested in what others had to teach us. It was a shame that Scott's demo had to be canceled due to illness and others such as Rob Jonson's Extreme FX had to be canceled due to the high wind. I know Robbie would have been blown away by those demos and he was fascinated by Scott's dragons and other pieces. But even with the cancellations, it was a very full day and plenty of useful information was gained.
It got to be raffle time and if you've never attended GLFF before, you just wouldn't believe all the cool things there are to win. There was a special raffle to win a full sized coffin, another raffle to win life sized figures! Then there's the "regular" raffle where you could win a multitude of items from a Bart to a baby doll with fangs! Rotting Robbie was hoping to win the kicking legs prop. LOL
And what can I say about the door prizes... KKrazy KKaren and Brian go all out getting sponsors and such to provide as many door prizes as possible. In previous years everyone always got a least one prize, but each year more people learn of the wonders of GLFF so its just impossible to guarantee everyone gets prize any more. There are only a few that don't receive a prize tho, the majority walk away with some really neat stuff. Someone even got a fogger this year!
I can't talk about GLFF without mentioning the wonderful food. KKaren provides chili on Friday and I heard she even provided sloppy joes on Thursday. But Saturday is the food fest... The morning starts off with coffee cakes, cereal and fruits. Then lunch is hot dogs and chili mac with some side dishes... but Saturday dinner is quite the spread. Everyone brings a "dish" to pass and there is just tables full of wonderful dishes... no one goes hungry at GLFF!
Even those that aren't at GLFF don't have to go hungry. Money raised thru the raffles go directly to the charities GLFF sponsors. This year we not only raised funds and collected food for the food bank, but also the Humane Society! The admission to the Haunted House is a canned food item...What a bargain no matter how much food you bring!
The Haunted House just keeps getting better and better! Each year a new bar is set and those doing the rooms really step up their game to meet the challenge. Not being a technical person, the Haunted house is hard for me to describe. There are a multitude of 10x10 rooms with basically black plastic walls. Together these rooms form of maze of darkness and surprises like no other. Most commercial haunts have a main theme, but since attendees of GLFF design their own rooms, you have no idea what is lurking around the next corner.
The room designers take a lot of pride in their work and not only do they try to improve on their works to keep things fresh and exciting there is also the friendly competition to be chosen as one of best of the best. Three trophies are awarded, but most importantly are the bragging rights the winners get. One of my favorite things to do at GLFF is be a polling judge at the end of the Haunted House. There I get to see everyone's reactions as they exit the haunted house and their excitement as they describe which room was their favorite. You see, its the folks that visit the haunted house the determine the winners.
This year Ravengoewin and I were given a couple of ribbons to hand out as Judge awards to the actors of our choice. This was very exciting to me, as I always felt the actors needed recognition as well. Unfortunately, we forgot to get our recipients names so they could be acknowledged at the award ceremony, Two that I know were chosen by me were Trisha from the cemetery scene (many thought she was a little girl) and Rex. Shoot Rex even creeped my out as he wondered outside the haunted house.
Speaking of that... the dressed characters that keep the lines entertained are amazing as well. Some of them I didn't even recognize. I know there was Jon and Kieth handing out the scares... someone in a very cool glowing costume, as I mentioned before, Rex would sometimes wander outside and even GrimDaddy got into the act with his mortician character. Rotting Robbie couldn't recognize him at all and I was very impressed as well. Rob Johnson was unable to appear this year in his many variations, but hopefully we'll get to see him again next year.
FunPhantom blew us all away again and retained his title as the creator of the 1st Place Haunted House room. Last year many people, including myself, missed some of the effects in his dining room scene because we scurried thru too fast. This year Paul addressed that issue by locking us in his "bath"room for 45 seconds! Paul's rooms aren't only technically advanced but the creativity and imagination this young man incorporates is incredible. Such attention to detail as well!
This year a new contest was added, the best decorated campsite. They had to get a new judge at the last moment so GrimDaddy stepped up to do the job. There was going to be a "people's choice" award, but with the original canceling out, there weren't any ballots. Anyway, the judges checked the campsites during the day to see how involved they were and again at night to see them in all their glory. Two, well technically three of our HauntSpace members won! Stolloween took third place while PAHalloweenFreek and Woodhegm tied with Toby for 1st Place. Seond place had to be determined so the attendees tried to cheer for their favorite site. The judges were still unable to decide, so finally there was a coin toss. The ladies called tails, but heads won. How close is that? So Scott took a respectful 3rd Place, Gin and Goldie took 2nd Place and Toby's campsite won 1st Place!
The children also had a friendly competition... Who could collect the most trash from around the campsite with the winner receiving a CASH prize. Well thats all the motivation Rotting Robbie needed. He gathered enough trash to win the contest and his cash prize. In fact, somone thought he was doing such a fine job, they even gave him a Halloween mug as a tip!
Sunday is a little more relaxed pace, with still plenty to do. There were demos, a Fog U 101 class, and even GrimDaddy presented a Make N Take of his cup holder jeweled crosses.
Grim opened a tackle box filled with bling to embellish the project with. It was a lot of fun watching everyone pick through the large assortment to select just the right pieces to add. Actually, it was Stacey's (Ashley's Asylum) four year old son that picked a combination of a copper colored back piece adorned with a turquoise gem that really caught my eye.
During the weekend I was able to accomplish a personal goal which I had set for myself... to ride in a hearse while still breathing! LOL Sinister Lisa agreed to give me a ride around the campsite. However, not only did she give me a ride, she let me accompany her during the hearse parade which was so much fun. Its not often you see a line of hearses drive by where people actually turn out to wave at you and take photos! It was a lot of fun for me.
I could go on and on as I've left out so much, but I am getting hand cramps here! I do briefly have to take a moment to thank Brian for the opportunity to purchase a mask from him at an incredibly low price. Actually it was a group purchase as Feebles and Rotting Robbie paid for the majority of it... it will be a great addition to our haunt.
Thanks KKrazy KKaren and KKaren's Keeper for outdoing yourselves once again and providing us with an affordable family friendly atmosphere to gather, share ideas and bond as friends and haunters! Love you guys!
Tags: Great Lakes Fright Fest GLFF HauntSpace Members Camping Events Demos
