Scaring All In The Family At Sandyland Acres

By Matt Popovich

Emmett Mosby (played by Gene Webb) is the feature character at Sandyland Acres Haunted Hayride and Farmers Revenge.

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(Petersburg, Ky.) - Sandyland Acres Haunted Hayride and Farmers Revenge is back in action scaring the young and old alike.

“We want people walking away saying ‘I went to this place last night and I’ve never seen nothing like it’,” says organizer Gene Webb.

This is the eighth year for the Petersburg indoor haunted house and outdoor hayride. The local farm is owned and operated by the Stephenson family, in conjunction with Gene and Brenda Webb. Each year, Sandyland Acres employs over 65 individuals during the months of September and October.

According to Webb, the month of September starts off a little slow for most haunted houses. However, once October’s cooler weather rolls around, Sandyland Acres hosts several hundred customers on a Friday or Saturday night.

A great deal of work is required each season to prepare the haunted attraction, says Gene Webb. Each year the course and theme are re-worked, which requires a large amount of work provided by family and employees.

The work doesn’t diminish after the attraction has been configured each year.  Around half of Sandyland Acres’ actors are in costume and make-up, which must be applied each night before the show.

“Brenda does all of the make-up. She does it in about an hour and a half,” said Webb.

The hard work has paid off. Sandyland Acres has received numerous Haunt Awards over the past eight years. The haunted hayride has been voted best hayride in Kentucky the past seven years in a row and they have received numerous awards for costume and design.

Webb says Sandyland Acres is a great haunted house to bring the family to because they don’t place an emphasis on gore. There is also a concession stand on site to provide refreshments.  

“We’ve had everything from two-year-olds to 90-year-olds,” said Webb.

A couple bought their six-week old child with them to the hayride five years ago, and the family has been back every year since.

“Once they bring ‘em, they keep coming,” he said. The Webbs are passionate about giving their audience a good show, all while providing their customers with a good value.

Sandyland Acres is open on Friday and Saturday nights the rest of September and all of October. Tickets are $12 for the haunted hayride and $10 for the Farmers Revenge. The Farmers Revenge indoor attraction operates rain or shine.

For more information about Sandyland Acres or to get directions to the haunted attraction, visit www.sandylandacres.com.