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Welcome To The Bates Motel
By Noah (AKA Jolly Pumpkin)
We speak with Randy Bates of Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride. He owns and runs one of the most intense and successful haunts in the United States. You'll learn the history and future of this haunting hayride and haunted house.
Tell us a little about yourself and the history of Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride.
In early 1984, I moved back to my family farm, along with my wife and kids. I am involved in local government, the PA Farm Bureau, and am a Captain in the township fire company. In 1991, we decided to open a haunted hayride. At the time, we were doing private hayrides to a bonfire, mostly during the fall. The jump to a haunted hayride seemed pretty easy. At this time, I was not aware of any other place doing this, and did not know there was a haunted attraction industry at all. Our first season utilized 4 tractors and wagons, a staff of about 30, and a budget of $10,000. It was successful, but it would take several years until we were actually realizing a profit. In 1996, after attending the Halloween trade show in Chicago, we built a 3500 square foot building and designed the Bates Motel, a high action haunted attraction. Our theory was to load customers in the back door, then run them out the facade and into the courtyard, where people waiting could see them. It worked better than we expected. and is unique in our area. This entertains and adds a level of hype that makes the customers easier to scare. In 2000, we decided to ad a third attraction. A haunted corn maze appeared to be the easiest and most economical way to do this. Although we call it a "maze" it is really modeled after a haunted house; there are dark corridors with room like areas and scares along the way. After 17 years, we have reached a level that I could not have imagined when we began.
How has the haunted hayride evolved over the years?
The hayride began as a 15 minute ride through the dark forest of Arasapha Farm, with 15 actors, a few simple sets, a couple of strobe lights, and a trail lit by candles in milk jugs, and kerosene lanterns. Last year, we had over 50 actors, 26 huge, Hollywood quality sets, dozens of animatronics, and hundreds of thousands of dollars invested. We used 12 tractors and wagons, all equipped with digital sound systems, and a custom sound track. Our throughput was over 1200 an hour. Most scenes are controlled by computerized show controllers and DMX lighting. The trail is lit with low voltage lighting, and has power and compressed air located throughout the entire forest. We have come a long, long way.
What is the most difficult scene to build for the haunted hayride?
One of the most difficult scenes on the hayride was to build our drive through cave. It is 10 -15 feet high, with one room aver 25 feet tall, and almost 200 feet long. The cave is made of polyurethane foam, with a skeleton of rebar and concrete wire. Although it only took us 4 days to build, it is still an amazing set.
Tell us a little about the other people that bring the haunted hayride to life?
The most important part of any successful attraction is having quality personell. We have commercial artists, professional carpenters, sculptors, masons, electricians, pro sound and light guys, (he toured with Bon Jovi for 4 years) and even a Dr. of pathology. We brainstorm together, then implement the plans. Each person or group is detailed to a specific project, then in September, it all comes together. The group as a whole, is responsible for the success we have had.
What are some of the scenes you'll experience at this years haunted hayride?
The hayride is designed to be like a roller coaster, with the first set designed to put you on edge, and prepare you to be scared along the way. The giant, 40 foot tall castle is centered with a huge dragon's head, where the wagon enters the ride. It is lit with real flame torches, and DMX lights. Along the trail we have a full size insane asylum, the Darkwood Home for the Criminally Insane. It has over 15 animations, light effects, and 3-5 actors. Buildings are tall and imposing, and on both sides of the trail. Other sets include a New England style church, a drive through saw mill, an exploding gas station, and the mall of the undead; a 6 building strip mall with 25 zombies and 5-7 actors.
What are some of the scenes you'll experience at this years Bates Motel?
The Bates motel is undergoing a major renovation this year. It is my theory that you need to change at least 25% of your attraction every year, in order to keep your customers coming back. We always make changes to all three events, but we like to concentrate on one attraction for big changes. We have a dark wood paneled library, with over 3000 real books, and my favorite room, the trophy room, which has 25 animal mounts that include Antelope, Kudu, Moose, Bear, Wolf, and many others. The room features amazing detail, custom woodwork, a simulated fireplace, Zebra skin carpet (similated), ripped floor lamps, and an angry hunter with a real pump shotgun. We removed the firing pin and plug the action so that it cannot be loaded or fired. The room also has its own soundtrack featuring many animal noises.
How would you compare yourself to other haunts in the area?
Our attraction is different than most in the area in that it is an outdoor venue, located on a family farm. Unlike most haunted hayrides, our ride runs through a very tall, dark woods. The vegetation is thick and lends to great cover for the actors. My theory on hayrides is that you give the customer so much to look at, that they are easy to scare, and have to go through several times to see everything. We hit them hard and almost constantly, never letting them catch their breath. Our haunted house, The Bates Motel, boasts Victorian detail in paint and real woodwork. My hobby is building furniture, so I have a large number of power and shop tools, including a moulding planer. The level of detail is great enough that we like to keep the attraction well lit, so our customers can see it. Lastly, our haunted corn maze has many structures that you must walk through along the way. It is much more than a stroll through a corn fields with actors n rubber masks. This attraction is truly a professional, multi-element, destination haunted attraction.
The main difference between the Bates Motel and other attractions is that we try to be different. We design and build one of a kind, custom props and sets. We have the capability to build our own animatronics, computer controlled props, program digital lights and soundtracks, and in essence, be a unique venue.
Among all the attractions on the farm such as the Haunted Hayride, Bates Motel and the Haunted Cornfield, which is the most popular and why?
Our hayride is by far, the most popular. I believe there are many reasons for this. First, it was the original attraction, and many repeat customers associate our farm with the hayride. Our attraction is based on getting great scares. In fact, we are know as the "scary" haunted hayride. Of the three shows, only the hayride is recommended for kids. The other two have a suggested age limit of 8 years old. For this reason, many families with younger kids, and school and church groups go through the hayride only. It is not just getting scares, it is a huge spectacle. Since we deal in fear, rather than theatrics, many customers are too scared to go through our other attractions. We constantly hear customers talking about their experiences on the hayride, and stating they "do not want to go in there" while pointing to the Bates Motel.
If you weren't involved in the haunt industry what would you be doing to fill up the time?
I was in the security industry for 15 years prior to going full time with the Bates Motel. I was a founding partner with the Defender System, a commercial and residential security system company. In 1995, I sold my share to my partner so I could devote my time to the family business. I would probably still be in that business.
Have you ever thought of creating a Christmas type event to make money during December and January?
Actually, we have been operating the Holiday Hayride for the past 3 years, with plans to expand. It is a wagon ride through the rolling hills of Arasapha Farm, with beautiful light displays, sets and real, live Reindeer. We also change part of the Bates Motel into Santa's workshop, and a place to get pictures with our "real beard" Santa. Other things offered during the holiday season are tree and wreath sales, our concession stand, and a live nativity scene complete with sheep, donkeys, goats and live actors.
What is your annual attendance and what's the main demographic that visits Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride?
Attendance is always dependent on the weather. Our best year was in 2001, when we had no rain outs at all. Our average attendance, over the past five years, is about 55,000 per year. Our demographics are teens and young adults, and families.
What are some of your Halloween childhood memories that influenced you into starting your own haunt?
Halloween was not really that influential to opening this attraction. The one thing that I always enjoyed was sneaking up on some unsuspecting soul and scaring the heck out of them. And that is what I really like about this job. I get to invent ways to scare people; they scream, then laugh. I get to give enjoyment to my customers.
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