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BOYNE FALLS - Masked in the fog covered hills of Boyne Falls, a creepy castle stands with petrifying creatures waiting for unsuspecting Halloween patrons. Such is the case when Challenge Mountain begins its 7th annual Nightmare at Challenge Mountain starting on Friday, Oct. 3 through Halloween from 7 to 10 p.m.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by creatures that only come out during this season. These scary hosts then lure you to the castle where the nightmare begins.

"We are extremely grateful to those who come out. Their support means so much," Sue Moody, the Executive Director of Challenge Mountain said. "We are positive they will have a great time, we are the premier haunted house in northern Michigan. With that being said, be afraid, be very afraid. They are out there."

Moody does not direct this event, Terry "Scary" Baker takes on that responsibility with her husband Jim "Jugular" who own the nightmare and production.

"There is a very unique story concerning their involvement (the Baker's). They had a daughter named Brandy who was mentally impaired and came to Challenge Mountain for 16 years," Moody explained. "She even became a volunteer in my office for three years. She passed away very suddenly from a massive blood clot to her lungs. Brandy was a huge Halloween lover. We began a small haunted house at Challenge Mountain two years before she died. When she passed away, her parents needed something to do, so they grew the Nightmare into the great deal that it is now."

Moody said the couple invests their own money and all of the proceeds go directly to Challenge Mountain and the facility pays for nothing for the event.

Some new highlights this year are an expanded Drain Maze, a scarier basement, Grateful Dead Graveyard, Grimm Forest, the Dragon room and much more.

"We look at this event as a "friend raiser" as much as a fundraiser. People who have never been to Challenge Mountain have the opportunity to see what a great place it is," Moody said. "Some people have never heard of us and get the chance to learn more. The nightmare is designed to have something for every age group so if one area of the event is not suitable for a child, there is something else for them to do."

Moody also said the entire upstairs of the castle provides a great history lesson, albeit a frightening one. There is the Salem Witch Trials, Lizzie Borden, the castle area torture devices through the centuries, and the Grateful Dead Graveyard where all musicians that are no longer with us reside. Apparently, Pavarotti is coming next year.

"The prices are low so families can afford to attend together. It is a scary place, but a whole lot of fun," Moody said. "Tickets are season passes so people will have the chance to come back as often as they like. Like I said, it is scary but there is no one lurking around a corner with a chainsaw, but you never know."

Ê Jeff Bergren can be reached at jbergren@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-582-6761. Ê