Along Deceased Farm's haunted trail, actors in costume and makeup jump out to scare those visiting the farm's terrifyingly themed haunted houses scattered across the farm's property.
Deceased Farm, a part of Clinton Sease Farm, in Lexington features several attractions, including several buildings each with its own creepy themes and actors ready to scare anyone who walks through. While the haunted houses are the main attraction of Deceased Farm, the farm also has food and drinks, a corn field and more.
Fourth-year criminal justice and criminology student, Caitlin Sterling has worked at Deceased Farm for six years. Originally working as an actor, Sterling now works with the makeup team as head of prosthetics.
The experience is shaped by the actors who work at the Farm and give their best efforts to provide the scariest experience possible for guests, according to Sterling. This year, Sterling said fears were at an all-time high at the beginning of the trail.
“It starts at a lovely 'dead and breakfast' and takes you through some of the creepiest and darkest corners of your mind,” Sterling said, and giving a hint at one of this year's themes.
Sterling has experience as both an actor and working behind the scenes. She said how the trail is constructed can affect patrons' experiences, but that makeup and special effects play a crucial role in creating the perfect haunted experience.
“It's just a moment, the second you get your makeup on. You're in costume and you look at the mirror and you're about to go out and you're like, 'Oh no, I am my character now. Like let's fully commit,'” Sterling said.
Head of makeup and actor coordinator Courtney Gonzales said working to create the makeup looks patrons will see on their adventure through the trail contributes to the chilling experience of the haunted farm.
“For customers, I think makeup and such is important, because not everybody wants to wear a heavy, chunky mask ... It kind of breaks that human-to-human connection. And what you're looking at doesn't look quite human. So it's a little freaky,” Gonzales said.
First year pre-business student Wei Lin spent an evening at the haunted location and experienced first-hand the Farm’s frightening experience.
“The whole walk was pretty fun. There's different buildings, and each building has its own theme. And a lot of jumpscares,” Lin said.
One of the more unique aspects of the walk is the strobe lights and the haunting sound effects in the background that appear throughout the Farm and the haunted trail, according to Lin.
“The lights are really cool. It's some kind of psychological effect that makes you think that this thing moves, but it's just the light that makes things appear to move,” Lin said.
Deceased Farm is located at the family-owned Clinton Sease Farm. Run by the Sease family, the farm features fun through multiple seasons by hosting school tours as well as birthday parties, while also operating as a traditional farm.
Besides their haunted attraction, Clinton Sease Farms also offers a corn maze and pumpkin patch, as well as jack-o-lantern carving and hayrides.
Deceased Farm is open at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday nights. The final night of the hauntings is Monday, Oct. 31. Tickets can be bought on-site the evening of your endeavor, and are cash only.