3 ways to get scared in West Orange County

If you enjoy the thrill of being scared, then be sure to head to Ocoee this month for two frightening opportunities.

The city of Ocoee is hosting its 11th Annual Haunted House, 951 Ocoee Apopka Road, on Oct. 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27.

The Ocoee Lions Club is opening its third-annual haunted house on Oct. 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and 30. “The Asylum” is being staged at the Lions clubhouse, 108 Taylor St., Ocoee.

CITY OF OCOEE

The doors to the haunted house are open from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on select nights. Admission is $5 for the house. For those wanting more scares, a Haunted Walk down a winding path full of spooky sights and sounds is available for $5.

Children can enjoy a variety of free activities, including bounce houses and hayrides. Candy will be offered while it lasts. Attendees can purchase refreshments, as well.

All are encouraged to take a non-perishable food item for the West Orange Christian Service Center.

The city’s haunted house event has attracted more than 30,000 visitors in the last decade and has been nominated as a Top 10 attraction by Florida Haunted Houses.com.  

For more information, ocoee.org or call Ocoee Parks and Recreation at (407) 905-3180.

OCOEE LIONS CLUB

The tour of this year’s Ocoee Lions club haunted house, dubbed “The Asylum,” is conducted in the dark,

and participants will be given a flashlight to make their way past the scary characters and hidden passageways.

About 15 Lions Club members and high-school students are filling the character roles.

As the story goes, the asylum is run by Sister Mary Margaret, who, after a run-in with a patient, now wanders the halls and grounds looking for some peace from her madness. Some call her Sister Mary Dementia.

You can meet some of the asylum patients, too. Garrett is a 30-year-old pyromaniac who was admitted when he was 17. Samara was dumped on the asylum doorstep 20 years ago; she only screams. Clara has lived at the asylum since she committed seven acts of cannibalism.

A special walk-through will take place from 7 to 7:30 p.m., or upon request, for guests wanting the lights on and no loud music, flashing lights or jumping-out characters. The club holds this for younger children, people with autism or other sensory disorders and those with physical, emotional or mental disabilities.

Tickets to The Asylum can be purchased at the door or ahead of time at squareup.com/store/ocoeelionsclub. The proceeds of this house go to the Ocoee Lions Foundation, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization. The Lions help people with hearing and sight issues, arranging appointments and obtaining hearing aids and eyeglasses for them.

A basket will be set out for anyone wanting to donate glasses or hearing aids.

For information, go to the Asylum Facebook page: facebook.com/asylumolc.

PANIC ON PLANT STREET

Winter Garden Masonic Lodge No. 165 is presenting its second Panic On Plant Street Haunted House. This charity event is a high-energy, interactive, theatrical, walk-through haunt with a cast of more than 35 talented actors.

Take a guided tour into the manor of ghouls, zombies and things that go bump in the night. This event is not recommended for small children; there is a free, adult-supervised childcare area available.

The haunted house is open from 7 to 10:45 p.m. Oct. 26, 27, 28 and 31 at the lodge, 230 W. Bay St.

Admission is $10. For tickets, go to squareup.com/store/panic-on-plant-street.

For information, call (407) 670-4208.