Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What exactly is "F.R.E.E. Haunt in the Abingtons"?
"F.R.E.E. Haunt in the Abingtons" is the nation's most popular free amateur haunt located on 30 acres, featuring state of the art props and a cast of over fifty actors. It is part haunted house and trail, part interactive theatrical stage show, and part mini Halloween festival. Well over 4000 people attended our last full scale Haunt on Halloween night 2002 at our former location on Sean Drive. Due to construction delays in 2003, we hosted a limited "drive through" only event on Halloween night at our new facility.

2. How are you affiliated with the "Haunt on Sean Drive"?
The "Haunt on Sean Drive" is the name previously used for our Haunt from 1999 to 2002 when it was hosted at our founder's residence. Due to the incredible growth of our event in popularity, size, and scope, in 2003 the members formally organized as a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation called F.R.E.E. (For the Recreational Enjoyment of Everyone). F.R.E.E. subsequently purchased a 30 acre parcel of historic undeveloped watershed land, centrally located in South Abington Township, to utilize for public service and member use, including but not limited to our expanded Haunt. More information on F.R.E.E. and its members can be found at www.freeintheabingtons.org.

3. Is everything totally free at the Haunt?
Yes, everything. There is no admission fee to get in the haunted house, to explore the "legendary Abington witch trail", or to see any of the stage shows. We give away thousands of dollars in candy, hot dogs and hot chocolate. We also hold custom tee shirt giveaways, ticket and c.d. giveaways, and glow bracelet "scrambles". All donations collected are voluntary and entirely for the benefit of the Saint Joseph's Center in Scranton, PA.

4. Is it for little kids or adults?
Actually, it is for people of all ages. Since we get tons of children who are out for the night trick or treating, we try and make it spooky and fun. Most of the effects are very different (and more spectacular) from what you will see at commercial haunted houses. Although adults usually won't be too frightened, many will be amazed at the various special effects. There is also free candy inside the many rooms of the haunted house, as well as free hot dogs and free hot chocolate for those waiting in line or watching the stage shows.

5. When is the haunted house open?
For the general public, the full Haunt is ONLY OPEN ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT from 6pm-10:30pm. However, the Haunt is set up for "drive-bys" every night in October. At that time, some of the main props will be visible from outside of the Haunt and many people enjoy an interesting few minutes passing by foot or by car. You will often find many of the cast setting up and testing new special effects. Stop by and see!

6. What is the "legendary Abington witch trail" and when is it open?
"The "legendary Abington witch trail" is a scenic trail hike through 30 acres of creepy entangled woods, passing historical creeks, paths, and stone structures. Along the sign narrarated trails you will find many mysterious and spooky landmarks, such as the Wiccan Woods, the graveyard, the mechanized trail bandits, Beemer brook, the hexen tree, the plane crash, the witch's hill and the bleeding stone walls. Due to safety restictions, the trail is only open to the public on select weekednds in October from 12pm till dusk for daytime self hiking. More information is avaialble by clicking the "times/directions" link at the left. No night hikes are allowed during this time and all children must be accompanied by an adult. On Halloween night, October 31 only, a small section of the trail will be "haunted" by characters, lighted, and safe for walking by most able bodied individuals.

7. Is the entire Haunt scary?
Again, we like to describe it as fun and creepy. Its kind of like a spoof of a 1940's monster movie. The characters are friendly, interesting and a little spooky. The haunted house is not just "one big dark winding hallway" like most commercial attractions these days. Each room has a distinct theme and appropriate actors. Small children generally are not too frightened if accompanied by their parents. We tailor our interactive theatrical acts to the audience...the later at night and the older the crowd, the more intense we make it. After hosting thousands of visitors, we can only remember seeing a few children cry.

8. Is the Haunt safe and handicapped accessible?
Yes. The entire Haunt and all props are designed to be completely safe. No actual flames or dangerous special effects are ever utilized in any of our illusions. Our new indoor facility is a steel building that has been "over engineered" for safety with eight emergency exits and fire extinguishers, emergency lighting and video security, and is completely handicapped accessible. The full "legendary Abington witch trail" is a mile long hike of moderate difficulty and all persons should use caution and wear appropriate footwear. It is rugged natural terrain and is not accessible to the handicapped.

9. What kind of things will we see this year?
This year the Haunt will be officially opening its incredible new $400,000+ location with over 30 acres of woods, streams and scenic trails, a newly constructed fifteen room state of the art haunted house, outside stage and mini amphitheater area with professional sound and lighting, and a totally separate 3-D interactive theater. There will be free parking for over two hundred vehicles, with lavatories and free refreshment stands adjacent to the audience area. An expanded cast will return this year, including the popular alien visitors who hover over the neighborhood in our patent pending "Abington flying UFO"on clear, low-wind nights. The patent pending "Abington flying UFO" is visible for miles and must be seen to truly be believed. On Halloween night, several of its "occupants" will be joining in on the Haunt...but don't worry; we'll have security "agents" armed with high intensity lasers to keep them from getting out of line. Also, our curator "Dr. Bush" the mad scientist, will be unveiling his larger and reconfigured "3-D Holigrification chamber" which immerses patrons in a variety of interesting effects. Utilizing his modified "Transformatron" he will "beam" volunteers back and forth to the Alien mother ship as well as transform ordinary people into various creatures. Many of our previous characters will be back with new acts. The Executioner will utilizing his Guillotine, electric chair, gallows, and all new "Deathchopper"...The Demon will be blinging the tricked out new Hauntmobile, while Humungus and the rest of their crew tool around on flaming Harleys, smoking A.T.V.'s and the "Doombuggy"...The Headless Horseman and the Ghost Rider will be on site, as well as the 9 foot tall Grim Reaper, and WKRZ's live remote, D.J. Elvis, "Mary the Ghost" and several new characters and animatronics throughout the haunted house and graveyard, "legendary Abington witch trail", and expanded stage shows.

10. When exactly can I see the patent pending "Abington flying UFO"?
It depends a little on the weather. Heavy rain or winds gusting over 15 mph make the craft difficult to operate. We endeavor to have it up on every possible night (or portion of the night) if the weather cooperates. If you drive by and don't immediately notice it, it isn't up. The thing is massive. YOU CAN"T POSSIBLY DRIVE BY AND MISS IT!

11.Why and for how long have you been doing this?
That's an interesting story! (click the "Press Coverage" link at the left for in depth media coverage and interviews) Matt Burne, (the moron who actually started doing this thing in his home) had fond childhood memories of a similar "Haunt" (albeit smaller) that was held in the Abington area in the late 1970's by a local dentist, Dr. Richard Bush. In late October 1999, after an inspiring trip to Salem, Massachusetts, Matt figured that he might just try and restart that tradition. On Halloween night 1999, with next to no preparation, he and a few friends grabbed a smoke machine and a strobe light, turned on some scary music, threw on masks and stood out in the front yard giving away candy. The response so good (and the night so much fun for the cast)...that the rest, as they say, is history. We like to sum it up this way...we do it one half for the kids, and the other half, for the kids in ourselves.

12. Can I take help/take part?
Absolutely. We are always looking for people to help out and make our events bigger and more enjoyable for all. Whether you're a Halloween nut who would like to don a mask and jump right in, or a creative type who wants to help us design and build our effects, set up, and promote....or if you would like to simply donate some candy or other goodies that we can give away, we would love to hear from you. Please visit www.freeintheabingtons.org. for more information on joining and the benefits of becoming one of our members.

13. I'm having trouble watching your videos or hearing your internet radio feed, what am I doing wrong?
To view or video clips you need the lastest version of Microsoft Windows Media Player get it here
If you have a high speed connection to the internet (T1, Cable, DSL), our videos should stream nicely on the respective page. If you have a slower connection or wish to save a copy of the video, you may right click the link below the corresponding video, save it to your computer, and view it when it is completed. To listen to our internet radio feed, you will need a player capable of decoding streaming mp3's such as winamp get it here