| By Mario Boucher |
In 1984, movie fans met a man with knives for hands and seemingly cute creatures that turned nasty in a hurry. The next year, Tony Wohlgemuth answered a teenage dare and turned a simple idea into a backyard nightmare that developed into the Spookywoods it is known as today.
“At just 15 years old, I took a leap of faith, turning a simple idea into a backyard haunted trail,” says Wohlgemuth. “What started with a chainsaw, a fog machine, and a group of neighborhood friends grew into one of America’s top haunted attractions. The inspiration was rooted in pure passion for Halloween, creativity, and a love for bringing people together for an unforgettable scare.”
Over four decades, Wohlgemuth has continued to reinvent new attractions. He is currently building an additional feature for this year’s festivities. “Every year we tear down, rebuild, and push the envelope in technology, storytelling, and guest experience.”
At a sprawling 92-acre family farm, Kersey Valley Attractions offers year-round entertainment, including zip lines, axe throwing, bomb bowling, laser tag, and escape rooms.
The Team That Scares Together, Stays Together
How does Wohlgemuth pull it off year after year? With a great crew that brings the characters to life to haunt visitors. “Above all, it’s been the people—the incredible team behind the scenes, the loyal fans who return year after year, and a deep belief that no job is beneath anyone. I still pick up trash on the property, because great leadership starts from the ground up.”
Art director Olivia Tippet creates costumes for the characters, leading a team of artists who contribute to Spookywoods’ twisted worlds by producing detailed, immersive environments that rival Hollywood film sets.
“Olivia not only designs and handcrafts many of the iconic Midway characters herself, but also oversees the full scenic design for every haunted set on the property,” says Wohlgemuth. “Her vision ensures that every corner of Spookywoods tells a story, from the thread in a costume to the textures on a haunted house wall. In addition to her in-house creations, we also collaborate with top-tier fabricators to develop custom made, one-of-a-kind costumes and props that elevate the guest experience even further.”
Welcome to Your Nightmares
Many Midway characters have become the heartbeat of Spookywoods. Each character is a living work of art—visually unforgettable and iconic—through Olivia’s designs. “They roam freely, interacting with guests before and after the haunt, making memories long before the fog even rolls in. These characters aren’t just actors—they’re storytellers, comedians, creeps, and crowd energizers. From bone-chilling clowns to mesmerizing stilt-walkers, they blur the line between the audience and show, setting the tone from the moment guests enter the gates.”
Every step guests take when entering the Midway is designed to send a few shivers down their spines. Club Spooky’s live DJ gets everyone in the proper mood. Visitors hungry enough to munch on an arm can find tantalizing treats and devilish brews, including coffees and cocktails, at Endora’s Brew.
Guests can jump on board a dark tram ride and travel into the shadows before disembarking at Icons, where horror themes come to life. The final haunted complex is within an ominous pine forest. There is also the “No Vacancy Motel”—one of Wohlgemuth’s personal favorites—where visitors enter a hotel not unlike the one in which Norman Bates is the caretaker … and stumble upon an active murder scene.
And there’s more than just Spookywoods; the Kersey Valley property is packed with year‑round adventures.
- The Kersey Valley Zipline lines let visitors zoom across the treetops with one of the largest zip line parks in the U.S.
- Maize Adventure offers family-friendly fun with a massive corn maze, pedal carts, jumping pillows, a pumpkin patch, and more.
- Kersey Valley Escape features immersive, high-intensity escape room puzzles with Hollywood-level sets.
- Kersey Valley Laser Tag is a great option for kids and adults to compete in a battlefield-style adrenaline rush like no other.
“It’s all part of the bigger vision in making Kersey Valley a destination for unforgettable experiences, no matter the season,” says Wohlgemuth. Designers, construction engineers, and storytellers add or refine themed sets, leaving guests in awe … and looking over their shoulders!
Kersey Valley Attractions is located near Charlotte and Greensboro, off I-85 at exit 113. Visit spookywoods.fearticket.com/frontapp for tickets. Parking is cash only; $10 per car and $20 for large vehicles.
