Haunted house gives back

Lambda Chi Alpha and Pi Beta Phi joined forces to scare students and community members for their annual haunted house event Oct. 23-24.

Tickets were $5 in advance and $7 at the door, while profits from the event were split between Lambda Chi Alpha and Pi Beta Phi with proceeds going toward the North American Food Drive and “Read. Lead. Achieve.”

The event used to be held at the fraternity’s house, but was moved to 14 Market St., across from Leo’s Bar & Grille because of the toll the event had on those living in the house to prepare for it.

“The house is very creepy,” sophomore Lucas VanErmen, who is in charge of philanthropy for the fraternity, said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a backstory.”

This year’s haunted house had a carnival theme.

“Naturally, the clown idea came up,” VanErmen said.

The fraternity and sorority usually work together to put on the event. Efforts, jobs and tasks are split between the two organizations, VanErmen said.

The two Greek organizations began setting up the haunted house Oct. 19, and had it finished by Oct. 22. A black tarp was used to create the maze inside the one-story building.

Students from both organizations acted as actors and collected money at the house. Actors hid behind tarps, scaring visitors and grabbing ankles. A few students used unbladed chainsaws to scare students, and more than one student acted as a jack-in-the-box.

“Usually people add their own personal touch,” VanErmen said.

One actor, VanErmen said, was even accidentally kicked in the head after a student thought he was a dummy.

“I’m really impressed with our actors,” VanErmen said. “I’m most impressed with how they fall into character.”

There were signs up that told visitors in case of an injury, it was not the organizations fault.

Planning for the event began in the middle of September, VanErmen said.

Junior Katty McNeal helped plan the haunted house as vice president of philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi.

“Girls in my house look forward to it,” McNeal said. “They were really excited.”

This year, students from the organizations stayed outside the house to provide entertainment for visitors in line.