Murarik Motorsports Haunted House 2014
This one intrigued me as a community project for charity. After the last local haunt closed, Nick and Bub Murarik started a one-weekend haunted house in their family dealership. Admission is free – donations taken for a different beneficiary each year. Past recipients included Pets Come First and local families in need. This year’s haunt helped a family facing extensive medical bills and wheelchair accessibility renovations to their home.
The Experience
Murarik Motorsports nails the concept of an all ages haunt – appropriate for the many kids in line without being overly tame. There was nothing loud, startling, or disorienting, but enough gross-out decor for broader audience appeal. There was also a nice variety of themed rooms and time to enjoy them.
Sets were packed with floor to ceiling detail – garlands of skull lights, refrigerator overflowing with body parts, hanging knives and eyeballs. A clown wandered in a blacklit corridor of balloons, swirling lasers, and circus music. A forklift operator raised and lowered a giant dangling spider. Snakes hung in a tent outside, with more of their brethren scattered on the ground. A winding path of cornstalks and Christmas lights led to a clearing with safely distant fire blasts – an awesome element I’d never seen outside a rock concert.
This is all the more impressive because Murarik Motorsports hosts the haunt in their dealership. Sets looked established rather than temporary, and they transformed the place into a cohesive attraction. Even the reception area was richly decorated, with a costumed desk attendant explaining the rules.
The low key interaction suited the kid-friendly vibe of the haunt. Actors typically moved into view or manipulated props. The ones who came closer kept it gradual and casual. An assassin sneaked up on me with a long knife, letting it appear over my shoulder. Witches invited me to dinner – naturally, as the main course – and played off me when I knew the joke.
Outside were photo opportunities with wandering actors or a skull mural as backdrop.
The concession tent hosted a raffle and refreshment sale, including popcorn, central Pennsylvania comfort food, and baked goods. The cotton candy cookies live up to their description.
The Verdict
The Murarik Motorsports Haunted House is a feel-good class act. I smiled the entire way through, partly from amazement at what the owners accomplished within their constraints of time, budget, and venue. I will happily return to support their passion and cause, and I hope to catch the live music that I missed this year.
Attraction Information
Murarik Motorsports
1410 E Presqueisle St
Philipsburg, PA 16866
Thanks for stopping out Saturday night! I’m so glad you enjoyed our event. See you next year! 🙂
My boys and their friends are amazing…So very proud of them all. They have so much support from local businesses and people from the community. I am glad you had a nice evening. Hope to see you next year. Thanks so much for coming and seeing what it is all about.
Every year they out do themselves with the Haunted House and all the added festivities! Nick and Bub and all the volunteers who help do a tremendous job and their time and generosity is heart warming as well. John Kennedy, this years beneficiary, is my father-in-law, our family could not be more thankful, appreciative, and overjoyed at the out-pouring of donations and love! What a fabulous way to have fun, get some scares, and help support a good cause all at the same time each year! Can’t wait for next year! Love and thanks to you all from our hearts!
We went Saturday night, myy nieces were so excited to go. They were terrified. The oldest made it to the first clown, the youngest made it to the next set of clowns. The staff was amazing and very helpful and freindly assisting us back out. But I’ll tell you most well behaved and quietest kids on the trip home. They didn’t make a peep. Its was fun while it lasted.