Winter Wonderland non-scary Family Fun Day at Fright Haven 12/16

The state's largest and scariest haunted attraction, Fright Haven, will be a lot less scary on Saturday, December 16. On this day, from 1:00-2:30pm, there will be a very special Winter Wonderland "Lights On" Family Fun Day matinee, designed especially for youngsters. Orange resident Charles F. Rosenay will be the guide to escort families and young ones through the indoor maze, completely renovated and decorated for the Christmas season.

Fright Haven, located at 411 Barnum Avenue Cutoff in Stratford Square Shopping Plaza in the former Bally's Fitness/Showcase Cinemas building (next to L.A. Fitness and Ninety Nine Restaurant across from Home Depot), is made up of three entirely different themed Halloween haunted houses encompassing over 20,000 square feet, all under one roof. This month, it has gone through a complete transformation into a Holiday attraction, "A Frightmare Before Christmas," but the scares come only in the evening, though. During the day, it's a pure kids' paradise.

Whereas Fright Haven is a world-class haunted extravaganza meant to chill and thrill, on these kid-friendly matinees, all the lights will be turned on, the scary music will be turned off, and the actors will not jump out in masks and make-up. The all-ages appropriate atmosphere will be more carnival and completely less evil. In fact it will also be educational, wherein the "scaremasters" will reveal all the hidden secrets to what scares visitors, and what actors are taught to startle the guests during normal evening hours, when the attraction is far more chilling. In fact, the all-ages walk-through will be conducted by not only the owner of Fright Haven, Charles Rosenay, but also by his 12 and 11 year old sons, Harrison and Ian. There will also be Christmas favors and an array of ornaments available.

Fright Haven is completely indoors and parking is free. The seasonal attraction benefited Stratford PAL (Police Activities League) in the past, and has served as a fund-raiser for numerous area schools and non-profits. This Christmas event is collecting canned good donations for the Connecticut Food Bank, and anyone bringing a food donation is entitled to a free child's admission. Tickets to the Winter Wonderland is only $20 for adults; children only $10. Advance tickets are available, along with further information, at www.FrightHaven.com. Group discounts for over 10 are available by phone at (203) 795-4737.

Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1464895996957974/