Thread: So bummed. Have a bad feeling that this year will suck.

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We've run a haunted house for our subdivision for the past 3 years now. Lots of excitement when we took over, lots of volunteers, it was a lot of work but manageable. This year - nada. We hold a work day maybe 1-2 times a month, and no one shows - at least 200 people on the email list who are notified about these work days. First couple of years, we'd get 4-5 people show to help out. Now it's just DH working on it.

We lost 3 months of work because of an idiot neighbor - the electrical box for the barn (what we use for the haunt) is on the adjoining property to the actual site. The guy who owns that property wouldn't let anyone near the power supply until we got the sheriff out there with the paperwork that shows it's owned by the subdivision and it's not HIS. No power to the barn = no work. We lost so much time in those months that we had to knock down about half of our prop list. 2 areas right now have nothing going on in them - and with the wonderful help we're NOT getting from the rest of the folks, I don't even know if the 2 areas that were supposed to have live actors will be going or not, if no one volunteers.

I am just so bummed about this. The house sucked when we took it over, it had only been done once before and there was no plan or layout. Last year was the best year ever, we had teenagers CRYING in fear, for goodness sake! We really hoped to make this year even better, so why is no one stepping up? There is no way we can get all this done with just me and DH (especially since my "job" is watching the 2 little kids on weekends so he can work uninterrupted). I know it will never turn out like I see it in my head, I accept that, but we're talking open framed walls right now with empty spots for where props should be. A few body parts tossed in a room isn't going to cut it with the scare factor. We dismantled a lot of the setup from last year, since so many people wanted to help with a new layout. Now those folks aren't returning calls. If we had known that every single person was going to back out, heck, we wouldn't have taken the friggin thing apart!

Oh well. Anyone in south Texas want to volunteer?

Stacy

Sorry to hear that. I sincerely hope that you find some good people who are willing to follow through with what they say, not just talk (which seems to be the case far too often). Best of luck to you

Maybe send out an email with photos and/or video from last year attached. Sometimes non-Halloween people need a little nudge to get get excited. If they get a little nostalgic about last year, maybe they will be more inclined to join in. It's a hard time of year for alot of people with kids out for summer vacation. Try appealing to their good memories of scaring the poo out of all the kids....LOL. That will get some people going, I hope.

Im so sorry to hear that! Its so disappointing when people say they are going to help out and then you get no response. Kind of like when they RSVP but dont show...
It definitely sounds very stressful for the both of you, and it may just end up ruining your Halloween. Maybe send out an email/call that says you need definite commitment for this by the end of next week..if not, its not happening. And if it does not happen, come Halloween time, people will be bummed out and wondering why its not up and running...you say "We cannot do it on our own, and no one offered any assistance, so therefore its not running this year." I know you will be disappointed, but at least you can focus your energy on your own decor for the TOT. It sounds like you get a good amt, so scaring them would be a great time! Good luck with whatever you choose!

aw i am really sorry to hear that. I only wish you luck and prayers!

Wow Stacy, that is not news I like hearing but I would stay positive. When the things seem to get us down and out, there always is a small hint of hope and light at the end of our spooky tunnels! I wish you the best of luck and hope you find the help you need! Remember to Stay positive! Texan HF'ers need to strap up them stompers and give a hand if you are nearby! Thanks in advance for any volunteered help friends!

that sucks. sorry.

to play 'mean cop'... "red shirt" the barn for a year and focus on your house. (the email will let everyone know)

if they miss it, they'll be back next year.

(sorry to play hardball, guess I *AM* a damn yankee)

I would certainly help you out if I was in the area!

This is so similar to what happened to me last year.

I told everyone, I mean everyone, and the wife/kids I wasn't setting up anything. I was forced to do something and like you felt for sure it wouldn't meet my standards or what I envisioned in my mind.

In the end, I did a garage haunt, 1st time ever and it was probably the best of anything I've done in the 20 yrs haunting my house.

Keep doing what is managable for you and step it down if need be, 2 great well done rooms is better than 3-4 empty rooms.
Hope things work out for your haunt, and try to stay positive. Every year is different, this is a realization I was not willing to accept. I felt every year would be better and this is not the case. Trees don't grow to the moon, and haunts aren't always the same/better than the previous year.

Good Luck
-PB

Most non-Halloween nuts are sitting in their air conditioned houses and think Halloween is forever away and no need to do anything right now. Nudge them and if still no takers, then do your own thing.