Boston’s newest Halloween attraction is here for a limited time. First opening the week of Oct. 9, Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest takes a new spin on Halloween thrills.
Carl Rugato, the founder of Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest, has been in the entertainment business since college. He went to college for theatre tech, and after graduating he joined Marvel Universe Live, an on-the-road touring show featuring Marvel superheroes and villains performing stunts, aerial maneuvers and action sequences. After three years of this job, Rugato decided to leave and go into the entertainment business himself.
Rugato first started a Christmas-decor installation business, Rugato FX Entertainment, and installed Christmas lights for a few years until he was able to build up the capital and connections to create a festival.
“Just about three months ago this was an empty lot, and now it’s a fully paved entertainment venue,” he said. Rugato also built his team in under three months.
The festival itself has four haunted attractions, each themed differently. The first haunted experience is “The Graveyard,” a dimly-lit graveyard with an eerie atmosphere where tombstones cast shadows in the lantern light.
The second haunted experience is “Harvest Awakening,” a trip through a haunted farm filled with ghouls and spirits. From undead zombies to scarecrows, visitors’ trip through the cornfield is a terrifying one.
The third haunted experience is “Into the Astray.” A take on a mental asylum, the haunt is filled with metal cages, smoke and lasers. The smoke kept visitors guessing at every corner, and the lasers helped add to the creepiness of the environment.
The final haunted experience is “Rise of Ankh,” a trip back in time to ancient Egypt. Participants travel beneath the Egyptian pyramids and explore the tombs of the undead. The mix of mythology and crypts makes visitors feel like they’re exploring the pyramids for the first time.
The haunts are augmented by themed food and drink all around the festival. From actors walking around the festival to lawn games and attractions, all ages can enjoy the festival .
Upon closing the Wicked Haunt Fest Nov. 3, Rugato will reopen for the holiday season. He plans on including an ice rink, Christmas lights, holiday-themed photo ops and seasonal food and drinks.
