About
This is an outdoor haunted trail in the Highlands of Safety Harbor, designed with COVID-19 safety in mind. Over 20 jump scares will take place with only six people as performers/operators. This is done by the design of scares using pneumatics triggered automatically, using puppetry, and additional special effects. Due to neighborhood restrictions, this is NOT open to the public.
The nature of this haunted trail is intense containing startle scares, low lighting, strobe effects, sudden movements, and special effects while on uneven terrain. Parental discretion is advised.
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The event will take place on the evenings of Thursday, October 26th through Sunday, October 29th from 7:00pm - 9:30pm with a goal to raise money for the Pinellas Youth Symphony (PYS) program. To donate or learn more information about PYS, see the Donate page.
There will be a virtual live event on Sunday - October 29th at 9:00pm EST to walkthrough the trail for those unable to attend in person! Additional details will be provided soon.
New for 2023!
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This will be the FINAL year of Wicked Woods at Highlands Lot 13.
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Expanded Trail, New Scenes, and over 20 Scares!
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Enjoy treats, drinks, and games. More details to come!
Construction Updates
Michael's Note
I am proud to share details on the FINAL YEAR of Wicked Woods at Highlands Lot 13! Even though I was unable to put on the event in 2022 due to schedule conflicts, the 2023 iteration will be the last, but the grandest celebration of them all with a whole new and LONGER layout, new scenes, new treats and drinks, and NEW SCARES!
In 2020, when many Halloween entertainment options were canceled in the theme park industry, leaving many without jobs, I decided to bring forth a spooky event in the form of a haunted trail with the challenge of designing it with COVID-19 safety in mind. One unique aspect about this haunted trail is that many scares have been created using pneumatic props to reduce the amount of people operating the experience, and to limit interaction between guests.
While this is designed to be a scary experience, those who wish to enter the trail without scares can do so as well! These guests will be issued a glowstick to alert the Operations Team to temporarily turn off select props! By crafting this experience to be within compliance with the most up-to-date COVID-19 CDC Guidelines, I continue to aspire to bring forth a SAFE experience for all to enjoy this Halloween, while also raising money for entertainment.
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Instead of charging admission, donations will be collected for student performers of the Pinellas Youth Symphony (PYS) I was once apart of during the 2013 - 2014 season. I participated in this organization because of my former private trumpet teacher, Carolyn Wahl, who is an extraordinary talent in The Florida Orchestra as a French horn player and serves on the executive board for PYS. Since musicians still have had some of the toughest parts of joining back together since COVID-19 arose, we believe it was best to give back to students so they can continue to be a part of PYS. My experience in PYS was unforgettable performing some of the original scores of music by Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Vivaldi, and even John Williams. I wish to raise money during this financially difficult time for so the next generation of students can perform these works as well.
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I am so honored to bring forth this event one last time and thank everyone for their support over the years. Between 2020 and 2021, over $2,700 was raised for the Pinellas Youth Symphony, and over 700 attended in person. Thank you for everyone's support and I'll see you this Halloween for one last time!