From family-friendly to straight-scary, Old Threshers delivers

MT. PLEASANT — For those looking to experience both family friendly frights and terribly scary terrors, Midwest Old Threshers certainly delivers.

Since 1998, visitors to the area have enjoyed the Midwest Haunted Rails, and more recently, they’ve been scared senseless at the Thrasher’s House of Terror.

“I actually went for first time over weekend and really enjoyed it!” Owner of Mt. Pleasant’s Meraki Day Spa Halee Lane said. “The carnival was a surprised and kids loved it so much!”

The Haunted Rails include activities with the purchase of a wristband at the grandstand.

Washington resident Quill Heisdorffer attended last year and is excited to go again this weekend.

“It's really enjoyable,” Heisdorffer said. “There was a good selection of food, on the haunted rails side. Lines get long but you hardly notice as everyone is having a good time.”

Guests are invited to experience the Ghost Train of No Return, bouncy houses, the haunted carousel, the Ghostly Trolley, and Scott Amusements Carnival.

Rides on the Ghost Trail and Haunted Carousel are unlimited.

“It was just the right amount for me, honestly!” Lane said.

Haunted treats and hot drinks are available from Main Street Mt. Pleasant, Old Fashion Kettle Corn, The Grange, Scott Carnival Food, and ow N Slow BBQ.

The Haunted Rails have one weekend under their belt for the 2022 spooky season, but there are plenty of opportunities for this family-friendly event Oct. 21, 22, 28, and 29.

Hours of operation run 6-10 p.m. Fridays, and 6-10:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Tickets are $15 per person and the last tickets are sold 30 minutes before closing.

While credit cards are accepted to purchase entrance to the Haunted Rails, cash is necessary for food and game purchases.

“We all loved it! It was a lot of fun. It was perfect for our young boys,” Kaitlynn Welvaert, of Muscatine, said. “We will definitely go again next year.”

If the family-friendly frights of the Haunted Rails aren’t enough, Thrashers House of Terror may be a better fit.

For over 16 years, House of Terror has frightened visitors to the Mt. Pleasant attraction.

House of Terror is a volunteer ran haunted house for the nonprofit Midwest Old Threshers.

To continue to provide unique scares every year, a core committee comes up with new ideas and themes for the different rooms and for 4 weeks before opening day, the Haunted House Crew creates the scare.

They build, prop, and light 12,000 square feet in those 4 weeks.

“This 2022 Haunt Season we have great things you’ve never seen before waiting for you,” Thrashers House of Terror boasts. “We dare you to take the scare.”

Mindy Mehaffy Logan made it all the way through the haunted house with her boys Kelly, 9, and Cole, 11.

The hospital part is where they scared [the boys] the most,” she said.

According to Logan, the guy with the pig mask and chainsaw was a star of the attraction.

Volunteer actors, like the guy in the pig mask, take their job of scaring guests, seriously.

”The scare actors for the haunted house last year were fantastic and would even haunt the line as you made your way inside,” Heisdorffer said.

The actors inside the House of Terror will not touch guests, however, they do get very close.

Occasionally, guests brush up against costumes or props, or accidental bumping may occur.

Thrashers House of Terror will remain open Oct. 20-22 and 27-29.

Hours of operation are 6:30-10 p.m. Thursdays, and 6 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturdays.

A general admission ticket is $10, however, every night has a limited number of fast pass admissions available for $20.

Thursdays have proven to have shorter wait times.

While both events occur at the Old Threshers grounds, they are separate and do require separate ticketing.

Considering the Haunted Rails close earlier, Midwest Old Threshers encourages those wanting to experience both to first enjoy the Haunted Rails, then hop in line for the House of Terror.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com