Scare at the Fair Review (2024)

I don’t know about you, but we counted 22… actors—sorry, I’ve had too much Taylor Swift on repeat! It felt a bit sparse in some areas; we would’ve loved to see more creepers scuttling around the fair. That said, the performances from those present brought vibrant energy that kept things lively!

Our journey kicked off with the unforgettable Dr. Joe Bob. He welcomed us into his lab, spinning a tale of how his experiments went awry, leaving him looking more deformed with each passing year. From eccentric scientist to grotesque, multi-faceted being, it’s always a thrill to witness a character’s evolution at a haunt. As we turned to leave, he ominously hinted at taking one of us to stay with him, creating a direct and memorable interaction that drew on our 5-6-year history.
Then there was the clever clown who mocked us for shining our bright cameras around, voicing her disdain for our need to document the chaos.

The rest of the characters delivered classic haunt performances: a demented doctor piercing our souls with his glare, Jason silently stalking our group, and an insane individual in a straitjacket running around with maniacal laughter. A girl in a rocking chair begged us for help, while others screamed, shrieked, and banged on walls to grab our attention. We would have loved to see a few more faces lurking in the shadows, but the cast did a fantastic job of providing unique characters and memorable interactions.

While some costumes were more basic, others truly shone, creating memorable characters throughout the haunt. Dr. Joe Bob, for instance, was a standout, sporting a striking white lab coat, a unique bondage-style mask, and a disfigured talking puppet that made him a captivating presence.

Jason was also impressive, rocking the full jumpsuit and hockey mask, complete with a knife. We spotted a character in a ghillie suit that blended perfectly with the grass, adding an element of stealth that heightened the surprise. The girl in the rocking chair embodied her role with a tattered hospital gown, while Freddy made an unforgettable entrance, showcasing his iconic mask, claws, signature sweater, and hat. The head he carried added a gory touch. A character in a cow mask brought an intriguing twist to the mix, while the clowns embraced tradition with their vibrant clothing and classic clown makeup.

The two queue actors, dressed in colorful garb, donned clown masks instead of face paint, and one even playfully wielded a hammer, adding to the lively atmosphere. Each section of the haunt embraced a distinct theme, and the costumes harmonized beautifully with their respective areas.

Scare at the Fair in West Alexander is easy to find using Google Maps. The drive was smooth, with clear signage and plenty of parking attendants ready to help. Once we arrived, ticket sellers and staff were accommodating, and after parking, we even had the option to order food before the haunt. In terms of safety, everything was pretty standard for a haunt—dark areas, fog, tight spaces, and some uneven ground—but nothing out of the ordinary. The staff, from ticket takers to haunt managers, were friendly and courteous throughout.

Their website is straightforward, offering essential information like schedules, directions, and specials. They also maintain an active social media presence where you can find extended stories like the one about Dr. Joe Bob featured inside the haunt. Overall, customer service was excellent, and while the website might suggest a simple experience, the haunt exceeded expectations.

Before entering the haunt, there is plenty going on. Near the escape rooms, the sheltered waiting area has flashing lights, fog, large props for photos, and creepy music. Near the concessions, there are scary movies projected onto a wall, and clowns running amuck. Once in line, you will make your way to “Joe Bob’s Oddities and Curiosities,” a collection of strange items to look at during your wait and to get you in the mood. It also gives you an idea of the kooky things you may encounter—like the world’s largest possum, Tribble, Jeffrey Dahmer’s kitchen mixer, a killer Roomba, masks, skulls, and even an evil bunny singing “Crazy Train.”

The theme, listed on their Facebook page, can be summarized as batsh!t crazy. The story kicks off with West Alexander’s resident mad scientist and all-around buffoon, Dr. Joe Bob, who’s back at it after an offseason experiment went wrong. Thanks to some toxic waste mishap, JB is now disfigured and carted around by Gimp #13 (hence the mask). But that hasn’t stopped him from dabbling in even crazier experiments. This time, he’s using alien DNA, cryptid captives, and a few new assistants to transform the town’s folks into killer clowns and cannibalistic hillbillies. The chaos is wildly unpredictable, with giant mermaids, mutant spiders, and ghastly rats—you never know what horror awaits in the seven packed buildings!

The tour takes you through twisted scenes, from Dr. Joe Bob’s Oddities and Curiosities Hallways to his revamped lab, then onto Captain Curtis’ Brain Eater Café, a monster barn, a Victorian zombie house, and even a swamp. The finale? A longer, crazier Psycho Sam’s Killer Klowns’ Circus, where Sam the Klown himself is ready to greet you.

Inside, the sets kept us occupied, and for a lower-budget haunt, we never felt like we were pulled from the altered reality that Joe Bob created. The haunt contained seven different themed areas, and the time between them is short, with some creepy music and roaming actors. We wouldn’t mind a bit more decor but understand the time constraints.

Despite its modest budget and a mere three weeks of prep time, Scare Fair impressively infuses every haunt with meticulous detail and effort, creating a captivating mix of chaos. The attention to design, decoration, lighting, and music is exceptional for a haunt of this scale. From the chilling echoes of chattering creatures in the sheep barn to the electrifying energy of “Unskinny Bop” by Poison pumping through another section, the auditory elements strike the right chord.
Dr. Joe Bob’s passion for props and animatronics shines brilliantly throughout. Each year, the haunt is dismantled and reconstructed, ensuring familiar fixtures find new homes, adding to the whimsical randomness that keeps us guessing. The lab is a chaotic medley of bubbling beakers, strobing lights, and creepy creatures, while the insane asylum rooms are drenched in red hues, enhancing the blood-strewn white sheets. Green lights and hazy fog help conceal lurking monsters in the swamp.

Notably, the lightning effects in the cemetery area deliver an authentic touch of terror, with thunder rumbling ominously and lightning flashing dramatically. The lab pulses with vibrant colors and bubbling canisters, perfectly capturing the mad scientist vibe. The pitch-black clown area cranks up the dread, as horrifying clowns leap from the shadows. The addition of blacklight flashlights not only enhances the suspense but also makes the colors pop brilliantly throughout the space.

Overall, Scare Fair thrives on detailed design, suspenseful soundscapes, and stunning lighting, crafting a uniquely immersive experience that keeps us returning for more spine-tingling thrills.

Scare Fair continues to impress with a solid mix of scares that keep us on our toes. The actors excel at ensuring everyone in our group gets their share of frights. Most scares land unexpectedly—just a few are predictable, but that’s part of the fun.

WASF relies on its tried-and-true formula: jump scares, piercing screams, clown horns, and air cannons for those sudden startles. We also encountered several mannequin scares, where what we thought was a prop turned out to be a living actor, including our first encounter with Dr. Joe Bob and Freddy Krueger. The dairy farm scene amped up the anxiety as actors emerged from unexpected places, while the sheep barn, encased in webs, hid farm animals waiting to get revenge. They skillfully played off common phobias, tapping into fears of claustrophobia, clowns, spiders (a whole spider den), and the dark.

Each area even featured different finales, complete with classic chainsaw moments, and we appreciated the effort to keep things fresh. Overall, Scare at the Fair delivers classic, no-frills scares that pack a punch. It was a heart-pounding experience filled with laughter as we enjoyed each other’s startled reactions.

Scare at the Fair remains a fun, nostalgic haunt with retro charm, capturing the essence of 80s and 90s haunted attractions and the camp of 50s–90s old-school B-horror. Admission prices are $18 for adults and $12 for kids under 18, which is still below the $25 average for other haunts. We clocked the haunt time at 20 minutes, placing the minutes per dollar at 1.11, just around average for the area. For just another $5, Scare Fair is the only haunt we’ve seen that offers repeat trips at a discount. A second trip bumps the MPD to 1.7, and you’re still spending less than the average haunt ticket of $25. Why stop there? A third trip for another $5 puts you at 2.14 minutes per dollar—sorry, the accounting nerd came out for a second!

The haunt is mostly indoors, with just a few steps between buildings and a covered waiting area for bad weather. They offer two new 10-minute escape rooms, snacks, and drinks at an additional fee. Included in the admission is an area where you can sit and watch movies projected in the snack area. When we arrived, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was playing, and when we left, Beetlejuice was on—a nice added touch.

For five seasons/reviews, I’ve tried to come to a satisfying comparison, and I’m circling back to my first analogy. It’s like sitting in a classic car. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of today’s car, but it feels good, and everyone admires it when they see it. I’m glad haunts like this still exist for people to experience and share with future generations.