A popular Halloween attraction in Saratoga County is celebrating its 25th year.
Two nights before Halloween and just before the evening's first hayride, co-owners Leo and Jennifer Martin meet me under the giant skull at the front gate.
"This is obviously the ticket booth and where you come in. These are some of our concession stands and where you can stop and get a snack. Cider donuts: number one seller," says Jennifer Martin.
Jennifer doesn't mention the hearse or the costumed actors roaming around the grounds that host a rodeo the rest of the year.
The Double M Haunted Hayrides have been operating in Ballston Spa off Route 67 for 25 years. It’s an event the Martin family prepares for all year.
"We have such a huge repeat customer. We're a big autumn tradition here in this area, so we have to keep it fresh and exciting for everybody to come back. We always have to have something new," explains Jen. "We got to a big haunted show out in St. Louis every year where we see new animatronics and costumes and make up and stuff. It's a huge industry. People don't realize how big it is."
Keeping up with the latest equipment also means following the horror trends, but there a few haunts that continue to be the most popular.
"Zombies have been the big one for us," says Jennifer.
Haunted hayrides at the Double M began as a franchised attraction originally out of Syracuse in 1991. Leo says his family took it over a handful of years later and put their own spin on it.
While a lot has changed over 25 years, and the staff has nearly tripled, Leo says some things remain the same.
"You got to have lots of people to scare people. We're specialists in the startle scare. That's what we do here."
The full experience takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The guests hauled through the woods by a tractor are accompanied by a monitor, who serves as a sort of "interpreter" for the ride.
Monitor Scott Minor, whose ghoul name is "Sin" explains what it takes to do his job.
"Nerves of steel. And being dead definitely helps. It's hard to be afraid of anything when you're dead."
Minor says coffee doesn't hurt either.
"Different people have different reactions and you kind of work off that and improvise and it always turns out great," says Minor.
When it's show time, the guests pile on to the hay-covered wagon.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman, littlie beasties, welcome to the original Haunted Hayride. My name is Shade the Strange, the Skeleton King."
Shade the Strange, whose real name is Ralph Pollitano, is our monitor tonight.
"This is my favorite job, out of all my jobs I've had in the past few years, this is the one I look forward too," says Pollitano.
"Halt! Who are you? Why are you here?"
"I don't know! Who are you, Scarecrow?"
The scarecrow gives us a few safety tips.
"I am the Guardian of the Dark Side and travel is not granted until my terms are agreed upon," says the scarecrow.
The ride passes the scarecrow and the guests give a scream for undead cowboy mascot, Scary Harry.
"One, two, three!" counts Pollitano. "I can work with that!"
I won't spoil the surprise of what's lurking in the woods, but there are plenty of scares along the way.
"What are you looking at?"
When the wagon comes up to the "puppet show," a trio of "animatronic" singers entertain the crowd.
Of course, the crowds don't come here for song and dance.
We also encounter an assortment of serial killers, the aforementioned zombies, and of course, a chainsaw-wielding madman.
When the hayride stops, it's not over. The guests have to travel on foot through the Stockyard, Salvage, Last Inn and “Clown Carnevil.”
Outside the front gate, preparing for the last push before Halloween, Jennifer says her and her family are happy to see the hayride season come and go, but the family aims to continue the tradition for years to come.
"We do have fun. It's a lot of work, but I would say probably...just the people...they're happy. They're here to have fun. And I like that we're a tradition in this area for this time of year. For sure."
