Would have been 20th anniversary for yard show

by Heather Perlberg

    After 19 years of spooking, the Haunted Graveyard of Charlesmont will not be a scene for local Halloween fright this year.     James Kolodziejski, the man behind the smoke machines and tombstones, recently spent two weeks in the hospital and said setting up the annual display would be “pretty much physically impossible for me to do this year.”
  

This month would have been the 20th anniversary of the Haunted Graveyard, but Kolodziejski said the scary celebration in his yard at 3413 Wallford   Drive will be postponed until next year.
    “I’m pretty heartbroken over it. ... It’s not the same,” said Kolodziejski, adding that people have expressed disappointment over the empty lawn and neighbors are said to have seen cars ambling through the streets looking for the  Charlesmont Haunted Graveyard.
    The live show on Halloween night has drawn up to 1,000 people to Kolodziejski’s yard in past years, he said.
    Admission to the attraction has always been free with a canned good for donation to the Community Assistance Network on Dunmanway or canned pet food. Last year Kolodziej-ski collected about 13 big boxes of food for donation.

    In the Haunted Graveyard’s absence, these scary attractions can be seen around Dundalk-Edgemere:
    New this year is The House of Screams, with guided tours of 25 horrific scenes on two floors and 80,000 feet of space in the former Steve & Barry’s department store at Eastpoint Mall. Admission  is $15. The separate Cannibal Lecter’s Asylum costs $12 to enter, and a combination ticket is available for $20. A Kiddie Krypt offers nonscary activities for young children. Hours of operation and a coupon are available at the site thehouseofscreams.com.
    Haunted Dungeons at Fort Howard Park opens at dusk Fridays and Saturdays throughout the month, except for Halloween night. Major fundraiser for Edgemere-Sparrows Point Recreation Council. Tickets $10 for adults, $7 children. Info: 443-801-0831.
    Haunted House at the North Point Government Center, 7701 Wise Ave., open Friday through Oct. 30 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.  Sunday through Thursday and 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sponsored by the Gray Charles Rec Council. Tickets $8 adults, $5 children under 12 and seniors. Info: 410-887-7180.
    Kim’s Krypt open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1., from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Merritt Park Shopping Center, 1748 Merritt Blvd. Tickets $12 adults, $7 children 11 years old and under. Info: www.kimskrypt.com, 410-391-7726.
    Joe’s House of Horrors at 8134 Longpoint Road on Halloween night. Trick-or-treaters and thrill seekers arrive at dusk. Scare volunteers welcome. Free.