2024 Question and Answer With The Howling Haunted Trail & Party

MichiganHauntedHouses.com recently sat down with Jody Maddock of The Howling Haunted Trail & Party, to discuss what's new at The Howling Haunted Trail & Party for the 2024 Halloween Season!

What's new at The Howling Haunted Trail & Party for 2024? Do you have any new rides, attractions, or special features that Haunt Seekers should know about?

In 2024, The Howling Haunted Trail & Party offers a complete change of scenery with much more space for the party. There's no standing in lines, instead our victims get to wait their turn in the adult tent, play games and have some liquid courage before going on the trail. There are also new scenes introduced this year with even more actors.

What are you most excited about for the 2024 Halloween Season?

This haunt season, we are most excited to scare as many people as possible even more than in years past. Also, this season, all the proceeds from The Howling Haunted Trail are given to the homeless animals of the Adopt-A-Pet of Fenton animal shelter.

What differentiates The Howling Haunted Trail & Party from other local haunts in Michigan?

The thing that differentiates The Howling Haunted Trail & Party from other local haunts in Michigan is that there are no long lines to wait in. Instead, you check in and go to a food truck, have drinks in the tent, play games and listen to great music and when its your turn to go on the trail, we text you. We also have a lot of actors on the trail who are committed to getting a scare out of every single person.

How long has The Howling Haunted Trail & Party been in business? Can you tell us a bit more about The Howling Haunted Trail & Party's history?

The Howling Haunted Trail & Party started 8 years ago as a fundraiser to help homeless animals and was focused more on kids. After two years, we found that adults are so much more fun to scare and a bigger challenge so we upped our game. We started going to haunt conventions, doing more research on how to get the best scares, safety, management and so much more. Each year we change it up so that it is a bit different. The Howling has quadrupled in size and has been rated as a top 10 haunt in Michigan two years in a row by Google reviews.

What's your favorite experience since opening The Howling Haunted Trail & Party?

My favorite experience since opening is meeting incredible people who love the experience and who want to help make it better. Raising a lot of money to help animals is pretty incredible as well!

How long is a typical haunt experience at The Howling Haunted Trail & Party from start to finish?

The Howling Haunted Trail & Party offers a mile long trail with twists and turns which can take people anywhere from 25-45 minutes depending on fast people walk through.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how scary would you say The Howling Haunted Trail & Party is? Why?

I believe The Howling Haunted Trail is an 8 due to all the actors that are on the trail. They are really able to creep people out and scare the crud out of them.

Does The Howling Haunted Trail & Party's property have any real haunted history? Do you have a spooky encounter you'd like to share?

There are a few people who have passed away on this property that we know of and many people claim their spirits are here. Lights flicker or get turned off or on. Things get moved or disappear and some people feel like someone is watching them at night.

What inspired you to open up a haunted attraction? What's your favorite part of the business?

A few people who love Halloween and haunted houses decided to start this as a fundraiser for homeless animals. It has completely skyrocketed and become alive all on its own. I have two favorite parts of this business. One is the people who we meet and get to scare. Its so rewarding making someone pee their pants or scream so loud your ears ring. :) The second is that every penny raised goes to help the needy animals who are at Adopt-A-Pet of Fenton.

How has new technology (i.e. animatronics, special props, etc) helped you to enhance The Howling Haunted Trail & Party?

New technology has helped enhance the Howling Haunted Trail & Party by helping our actors use them in their scenes. It helps to make some scenes more bold and in your face.

Can The Howling Haunted Trail & Party accommodate large groups? How many people can experience The Howling Haunted Trail & Party together as a group?

The Howling Haunted Trail & Party requires no more than 6 people go through the trail at one time for the benefit of the group. Larger groups will not get the best scares and throw off the timing of the actors. We have found that larger groups who want to stay together don't experience the trail like it is designed. Large groups come to the party tents together and split up for the trail experience and meet back in the party tents.

Does The Howling Haunted Trail & Party offer any special deals, discounts, or coupons?

The Howling Haunted Trail & Party offers $5 off on pre-purchased tickets and Friday nights are $5 less. For $50 people can get an RIP (really important person) passes to put them to the front of the line.