By VICKI BROWN
The Colleton-Walterboro Recreational Complex will host more than just sports during the month of October. Every Friday and Saturday night beginning October 8, goblins, ghosts and ghouls from the Reaper’s Dungeon will be making an appearance.
Reaper’s Dungeon has been frightening Lowcountry people for 11 years with the help of volunteers and Directors Craig Crosby and Rebecca Eggers. This year is no exception, as Crosby and Eggers say they have “a lot of horrifying experiences” planned for the 2021 event.
October 15 is Military Appreciation Night, with free admission for active duty and retired veterans who have a military ID. October 16 is First Responders Night with free admission for law enforcement, EMS, firefighters, dispatchers, doctors and nurses with a valid ID.
October 23 is Educators Appreciation Night, with free admission for Colleton School District personnel with a valid ID.
October 28-31 are VIP Nights where the public can meet and greet actors from various TV shows.
The attraction is outdoors in the woods and utilizes fog machines and strobe lights, along with other special effects, so it plans to be an event that makes every heart race.
The attraction features a one-half mile line called “Massacre Meadows Haunted Trail” that has scary surprises along the trail and other terrifying shockers. A tour guide with you at all times to help you through the trail.
The Reaper’s Dungeon is a very intense haunted attraction and is NOT recommended for children under the age of 12. The event coordinators do not offer refunds, so make sure your child is mature enough to handle the attraction, especially since characters may brush up against them as they pass by.
The ticket booth opens at 7:00 p.m., but event goers can expect longer wait times closer to Halloween, especially the weekend before. This year, there are Covid-19 protocols in place and include hand sanitizing stations, social distancing, face coverings and limited capacity in the waiting line.
Additional safety rules for the event include the directors asking expectant mothers to not go through The Reaper’s Dungeon. Individuals who suffer from heart conditions, high blood pressure, asthma, seizures, light sensitivity, claustrophobia, incontinence or any other health condition that could be aggravated by these special effects are also encouraged to not attend the event.
Patrons are not allowed to wear costumes. Foul language, hitting performers, photos, pets, flashlights, food, beverages, smoking, alcohol, illegal substances and weapons are not allowed as well, and uniformed officers will be on hand as security.
The Reaper’s Dungeon started out in 2010 as a Haunted House attraction through the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers Division and the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office Explorer’s Post #660. The group moved to the old Cottageville Elementary School on the grounds of the Cottageville Municipal Complex. On Feb. 27th, 2018, a massive fire burned the building to the ground, destroying 95 percent of their props. Reaper’s Dungeon relocated to the Colleton County Recreation Complex in order to continue the haunted attraction for fans.
The Recreation Complex is located at 280 Recreation Lane in Walterboro. For more information go to www.reapersdungeon.com.
