PORT TOWNSEND — Hauntownsend, the annual scarefest held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, is holding auditions Saturday for people who want to participate in the Halloween tradition.
The open auditions will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the fairgrounds’ horticulture building and cow barn, 4907 Landes St.
This will be the fourth annual Hauntownsend, which is directed and supervised by East Jefferson Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Ted Krysinski and his wife, Linda Krysinski.
“We don’t take just anybody,” Linda Krysinski said.
“We talk to all the potential people for the job and choose the best qualified ones.”
Over the next few weeks, the 8,000-square-foot space will be converted into 17 fright-filled rooms which will take an average of 20 minutes to travel through.
Krysinski said that about 30 volunteers will be recruited.
The haunters are seeking a variety of skills, including actors to portray gruesome spooks, technicians, behind-the-scenes assistants, and build/tear down crew members.
Actors and technicians are asked to phone 360-774-0882 or email HauntMom@gmail.com while builders and potential crew members should phone 360-774-0879 or email sspencer154@gmail.com.
Not all volunteers need to be at every show, but Krysinski asks people to provide their schedules in advance so a full staff will be on duty at all times.
Applicants must be over 18 years old, or 16 or older with parent permission and their own transportation.
Exceptions may be made for youth 14-15 years of age with parent /guardian involvement and supervision.
All applicants are required to provide a valid driver’s license or other form of official identification.
Krysinski said the age requirement is essential, because it is never certain how someone might react to surprises.
“We don’t know how people are going to act when they are scared and a young person might not know how to deal with that when it happens,” she said.
“The safety of our volunteers is the most important thing to us.”
Krysinski said Hauntownsend is an enjoyable experience for attendees and participants for the same reason: People like to be scared, or scare other people, but in a safe environment.
“When people go through the haunted area they know they will be scared but also that nothing really bad is going to happen to them,” she said.
“They like being scared in a controlled way.”
Hauntownsend runs for three weekends, the Halloween weekend and the two preceding.
Admission is $10 with proceeds going to the Humane Society of Jefferson County and the Exponential Foundation, which is described as “a pay-it-forward group.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.