Mark's Haunted Garage

I'm a computer programmer by trade, but I've always wanted to make computers do more than just number-crunching. I wanted to make them do things in the physical world. Turn lights on and off. Play sounds when a sensor is triggered. Make things move. Etc. Halloween seemed like a good way to work on this ambition. Over the last few years, I have slowly been working on my electrical knowledge and improving the props I use to haunt my garage each Halloween evening in Henrietta, NY and now Penfield, NY, both of which are suburbs of Rochester. This web site displays my work from the past few years as well as provides information about the coming year's haunt.

Mark's Haunted Garage is meant to be spooky, not gory. There may be scenes with things like skeletons, witches, demons, ghosts, and other assorted monsters. However, I do not do blood and guts. Personally, I find that disgusting, not scary, so I don't do it. There is also no profanity. As a result, if Mark's Haunted Garage were a movie, I would rate it PG. There are things in it that young (and sometimes not so young) children may be scared of. I know my 4-year-old son is afraid of some of my props, even when I tell him exactly what is and is not going to happen. However, there is nothing in Mark's Haunted Garage that I wouldn't want my son to see or hear. So, young children are welcome if they have the courage to come through. Just remind them of the policy: touch nothing, and nothing will touch you. If that is not enough to encourage them to come through, please don't force them. We will be happy to give young children the candy even if they are too afraid to go through the garage. Just inform the person outside the garage, and he'll take care of you.

Mark's Haunted Garage is not just for the Trick-or-Treaters, though. We also welcome adults with no children. Whether you have children or not, by all means, stop in and take a look around. I don't charge anything for admission, and it only takes a couple of minutes to go through.

I also wanted to mention that if you or your children attend Harris Hill elementary school, you may have seen my work there. I have run the spook house during their Spooktacular event the past 2 years, and I will be running it again this year, so if you like what you see there, I would suggest stopping by on Halloween night to see my garage.

Being a computer programmer, the technical side of the haunt is pretty good, but the artistic side is severely lacking, since I have absolutely no artistic skills whatsoever. If there is anyone in the area with artistic skills, such as painting or sculpting, and would be interested in donating their skills, please contact me using the link below. Since I don't accept any payment for entrance into the Garage, I wouldn't be able to pay you for your time, but I would, of course, cover the cost of all materials. I also could use another actor or 2 on the night of Halloween, so if you think it would be fun to participate in a haunted house, please contact me.

Mark's Haunted Garage is now on Facebook. You can become a fan if you like.

I also thought I would mention that there is a new professional haunt opening up in Penfield, NY in October of 2009. It is called Caverns Deep. I have no affiliation with this haunt and have not yet seen it, so I am not making any kind of recommendations about it at this time. I'm simply letting everyone know it is there. Once I have experienced the haunt, I will update this paragraph.

Page last modified 09/06/2009

For a listing of many Rochester-area Halloween attractions, see Rochester Halloween.

For the latest news about Mark's Haunted Garage and the WNY Haunters email list, check out my blog.