Sailors help turn barn into popular haunted house

It’s got a Facebook page called “Frightville X” and ranked among the top “scary” places to go in Washington State during Halloween as noted on Hauntedhouse.com.
Frightville marks its 10th anniversary this year and much of the success goes to NAS Whidbey Island Sailors who volunteer annually with Oak Harbor community members to make this Boys & Girls Club haunted house a big draw.
“Last year over 1,500 people came through and $10,000 was raised for the Boys & Girls Club After-School Program,” said Master-at-Arms Chief Philip Sellers of NAS Security, who works closely with Yeoman Chief Brian Boyle of VAQ-129 to come up with new spooky ideas.
“We’re kind of sick and twisted,” laughed Sellers. “We start planning in November for the following year, and start the tear down and rebuild in March.” Sellers said about 45 Sailors from NAS Security, Personnel Support Detachment, VAQ-129 and Fleet Readiness Center Northwest are pitching in to make this house a screamer.
Fightville X is held in the huge, dark basement of the historic Neil Barn, which was built in 1912 by Dutch farmer Jim Neil. It was considered almost a century ago, the largest barn on the Pacific Coast. Today, the barn is used by the Boys & Girls Club and the basement is closed yearlong except at Halloween. It’s hard to tell the real spider webs from the fake.
The theme this year is “House for Sale.” Visitors will walk through a maze of rooms from a staged kitchen complete with a wide range of unique cutlery and a moonlit, bayou graveyard in the backyard. Special effects, motorized props and holograms make this haunted house realistic. One in particular will make visitors wonder what’s underfoot, but let’s not spoil the surprise.
“Home Depot donated $2,000 for the project which went a long ways,” said Sellers.
The little girl’s bedroom with stuffed animals and clowns may look innocent enough, but beware. A ghost playing a piped organ and moving books in the library will also get your attention.
It opens tonight starting at 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. A light’s on to make it more kids’ friendly is available Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by lights out 7-11 p.m. Frightville X is also open Oct. 28, 6 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 7 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m. (lights on) and 7-midnight; and Halloween, 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $10 per person; $3 kid’s matinee. The Roller Barn is located at 98 NE Barron Drive, Oak Harbor.
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