| SCREAM ON SHORTRIDGE:
Glowing hands reach out from the ticket booth welcoming you
to Scream on Shortridge. A cozy bonfire lies just beyond a
cemetery setting alongside the waiting area of the hayride. Upon
boarding the wagon, the journey gets underway with a multiple chainsaw
initiation into the isolated woods. Strobes and fog obscure visibility
as the adventure visits scenes of a captivation, and a wrecked wagon from
a previous ride. Numerous masked monsters leap forth out of hiding,
pounding on the old wooden coach with pipes and other weapons of choice,
while another passes by quickly overhead on a zip line. The tractor
pauses briefly for an electrocution scene that introduces a devastating
effect on the wagon, then again for a gruesome, blood spraying beheading
courtesy of a wicked Executioner and his murderous guillotine!
A visit into a darkened barn yields a sudden surprise that’s accompanied
by the Halloween theme. Additional startles originate from
a hideous outhouse accident, as well as a surgical procedure gone horribly
wrong. A spooky graveyard gives rise to a mechanical skeleton propelling
out of an upright coffin, and a cooperative chase by the likes of Jason,
Freddy,
and Michael Myers. More chainsaws, an attack from a spook
catapulting off a platform, and an encounter with last year’s award winning,
MOST UNIQUE CHARACTER – a crazed, irate Pig angrily “oinking” in
pursuit of the wagon combine to set up an all out, horn blasting, semi-truck
assault that serves as a chase-out from Scream on Shortridge.
Analysis:
LENGTH - 8½, Right around 15 minutes.
ACTORS - 7, Very little dialogue throughout. Catapulting
ghoul is most surprising, while mad, oinking Pig is one of the most
uniquely memorable characters around!
SCARINESS - 7½, The woods are dark and conceal
numerous monsters. Chainsaws provide the majority of scares early
on, while the semi chase-out delivers one of the best climaxes in the business!
This category would benefit from raising the intimidation factor among
the characters through some face to face conversations, "These woods are
cursed! GET OUT!!!" and so on.
DESIGN - 8, Although there’s not a lot to look at scenery
wise at times, transition zones are covered well by the abundant number
of creatures, and onslaught of chainsaws that populate the area.
Tractor brings the ride to complete stop a couple of times in order to
insure that no one misses any of the primary scares. The best is
appropriately saved for last, providing a memorable finish to an enjoyable
attraction. Not significantly different from last year, but the layout
works well. Would benefit from appropriate additions.
PROPS - 7½, Beheading and electrocution are the
best equipped, and result in some unexpected happenings. The truck
of course is a standout. Would like to see more in the way
of decoration, skits, and scenes, which would also lengthen the experience.
VALUE - 8½, Just $10 per person, and a $1 discount
coupon available on their web site.
RATING: 7½, Now in their fourth year of
operation, this fun hayride offers some unique scares that you can't find
elsewhere. The truck chase is quite intimidating, especially if you happen
to be seated towards the rear of the wagon! Pay a visit to
Scream
on Shortridge and enjoy some seasonal scares and entertainment while
lending your support to the Lowell Little League baseball team.
A low-scare Children's day will be held October 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. |
