by Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter October, 2001

One of the first questions the Foxboro Jaycees were asked in the days following September 11 was, “Are you still having the Haunted House this year?”

The answer is yes— we have to. The Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House, besides being the largest charitable Haunted House in Massachusetts, is the largest fund-raiser of the year for the Jaycees. Without the funds the annual boo-fest brings in, we could not run such activities as the food co-op, Santa and concerts on the common, Senior Appreciation Day, DARE National Family Night Out, sand for seniors, basketball clinic, New Year’s First baby awards, Easter egg hunt, pancake breakfast to benefit Foxboro Youth Basketball, Founders Day activities, blood drives, teddy bear delivery to traumatized children, and dozens of other community projects.

Without the income from the Haunted House, we could not donate money to over 26 different charities, needy individuals, athletes and human service organizations, nor would we be able to donate thousands of dollars to the Foxboro Discretionary Fund, Fireworks committee, Foxboro High School college bound seniors, South Foxboro Community Club and various sports leagues in Foxboro.

Simply put, we could not do any of these things without the Haunted House.

The show must go on, but in these unimaginable times, some things had to change. After the attacks on America, we took a closer look at every aspect of the 13th annual Haunted House. Alterations were needed. Although our theme is still time-travel, the original name, terror through time, had to be scrapped. All the Jaycees felt the same way— there would be no terror in the name. Two skits involving war were changed, as were references to explosions, bombs and the like.

Many other Haunted Houses have made similar alterations.

Make no mistake—we’re still a Haunted House. We’ve still very scary. We’re still very funny. But the line between entertainment/fantasy and the real world could easily get a little blurry this time around and we could not allow that—the Jaycees are first and foremost a community service organization.

Our haunted house this year is truly one of the best we’ve offered in some time. I really mean that. Yeah, I’m obviously partial to the Jaycees and our Haunted House, but I write about the group so enthusiastically because the Jaycees truly make Foxboro a better place to live and I am proud to be counted among their membership.

The Jaycees are pretty hard working, too. It all began back in August, with construction and planning. While others were at the beach and having fun, the Jaycees were volunteering their time building, painting, and assembling a new Haunted House on the grounds of Camp Lincoln Hill. For the past month or so, a handful have been pretty much working round the clock there.

There are new scares that better mimic the claustrophobic feeling we had when the Haunt was located at the State Hospital. There are many more scares per room this year, and two new cabins have been added along with new mazes. The time-travel aspect has allowed us to greatly expand what we can do, and the various themes and time periods of each room reflect that.

You’ll be especially impressed with the level of detail and complexity. Once again, veteran room people and former guides are chairing the rooms. In fact, three former Haunted House chairmen are constructing rooms this year— we couldn’t have better experts.

You can find out everything about the Jaycee Haunted House on our web site at http://foxborojaycees.org, including directions, pictures from previous years, and much more about the Jaycees.

We use strobe lights throughout the show and are not recommended for little children.

Oh, and as an incentive to come see us, here’s an answer to one of the quiz questions:

Question: How many people visit the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House each year and say, “You’re better than Spooky World?”

Answer: “All of them.”

Come see the Jaycees Haunted House in October. We’re better than ever.