Horror In The Stacks 2024

Kathleen Cheng, Writer • 137 Views

October 22, 2024

On the night of Oct. 12, 2024, the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) filled with students from various high schools hosted the annual Horror In The Stacks event. Dressing up as different characters and themes, the six zones combined made a haunted house on the second floors of the E.P Foster Library. The screams of guests walking through echoed down Main Street and student volunteers gathered at the end of the event to capture yet another successful year of hosting Horror In the Stacks. After long months of planning, the students rush inside after the photo to store all the decorations and costumes on the second floor, where it awaits the coming year of this event.

Featuring seven guides, you will be taken through the maze by the student volunteers. Walking through all six zones and brought out to the craft table after, the guides will take one group with up to six guests at a time. Though not belonging to any zone, they each picked out a unique costume for the night. (Kathleen Cheng)

As Halloween approaches, the annual tradition of Horror In Stacks continues, following the success of the previous year. Hosted by the E.P. Foster Library on Oct. 12, 2024, and put into operation by the Teen Advisory Group (TAG), the kids section on the second floor of the library is transformed into a haunted house with six zones for guests to walk through and a craft section for those who aren’t brave enough to embark on the path through the library stacks.

This year, TAG brings six completely new zones to the library: Cemetery, Weeping Angels, Coraline, Camp Horror, Shrek and Scary Clowns. With old and new student volunteers joining this year, Sienna Sydlaske, a Youth Librarian commented,“It takes weeks of planning and prep and 40 plus teen volunteers to help put on the show.” From organizing each zone to preparing the costumes, this event is the product of the hardworking volunteers and the helpful library staff.

Zone one: Cemetery

The cemetery is the starting point of the maze, with a grave decorated by fallen leaves and body parts scattered throughout, it surely will catch someone off guard. While observing the detailed decorations, don’t miss the suspicious blood stain on the costumes of the students. (Kathleen Cheng)

As you enter, the grave of an unknown person greets you. The light is dark, and it’s too late to leave now. Going past multiple alive yet soulless students, the blood on their faces and dirt on the cloth signals danger yet you venture deeper in, hoping to be left alone.

Zone two: Weeping Angels

Covered in silver body paint, the weeping angels group is dressed in gowns with wings on their back. Following right behind you through the stacks, they move with precision to catch you off guard when least expected. (Kathleen Cheng)

Proceeding through the stacks, multiple weeping angels stand frozen in every corner. Their statue-like appearance emits no risks, but when you walk past, the subtle movement will have you reconsidering whether to look back or not. The entire weeping angels zone is stretched out between three stacks, this long journey is filled with candles along the side to help soothe the horror.

Zone three: Coraline

Coraline zone drew their inspiration from the film, from the left to right they were: Other Mother, Coraline and The Cat. The group of student volunteers coordinated the outfits weeks ahead of the event, organizing which character they would be. (Kathleen Cheng)

Entering the Coraline zone, student volunteers recreated the tunnel from the film and dressed up as characters showcased in the movie. The space is decorated with framed pictures of dolls – creepy yet pleasing to the eye. Volunteers are scattered down the tunnel as you make your way out with ease, escaping this zone.

Zone four: Camp Horror

Transforming the E.P Foster Library to a forest overnight, Camp Horror is a spooky campsite. The seemingly friendly guide attempts to lead you out, but the bloody knife hidden in the back pocket and students unconscious on the floor radiates an ominous feeling. (Kathleen Cheng)

Stepping into the forest, a mysterious campsite appears in the view. With a suspicious group of teenagers camping and a few on the ground that seem unconscious, one of the campers prompts you to follow them as they try to escort you out. Catching a peek at a bloody knife in one of their back pockets, you are deep in the trees and the only light source is a dim campfire. The sky is getting dark, and the only option is to stay the night at this ominous campsite.

Zone five: Shrek

Though doubted, the Shrek zone surprises guests with their dedication to acting and staying in the character. Shrek and the baby jump out of their house, urging you to leave the swamp and Fiona, the wife of Shrek, is hanged on chains from the ceiling. (Kathleen Cheng)

Finally escaping the campsite, you are still stuck in the forest and come across a friendly donkey, leading you under some vines. As soon as you step into the swamp, Shrek’s wife Fiona is dead and hanging on a chain from the ceiling. Making a right turn immediately, Shrek and the baby jump out to attack foreign invaders, screaming “Get out of my swamp!” Shrek chases you down the stacks on all fours, and most barely manages to escape.

Zone six: Scary Clowns

Finally seeing the light at the end of the maze, the last zone, Scary Clowns, is decorated with bright wallpapers but in contrast a bloody carpet to walk through. The dead body sitting on the rocking chair is the work of the two scary clowns, hidden behind doors and walls. (Kathleen Cheng)

After leaving the swamp, the exit is near and the light is at the end of the tunnel. Going past a dark hallway, the flashing lights and festive look are only an illusion. The clowns pop out from closed doors to catch you off guard and one is dead on a rocking chair. The floor is covered with blood, not in correlation with the bright and colorful polka-dot wallpaper, as you walk through, unsure of what to feel.

Reaching over 150 visits, the success of this event is shown once again. Horror In Stacks is a favorite among families to start the fall season and get into the Halloween spirit. Bringing new zones every year, the haunted house is a night of frightening memories for visitors and volunteers alike.

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About the Contributor

Kathleen Cheng, Videographer

If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

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