Grey Blackwell was raised on a farm. Even as he worked in corporate America as a graphic artist, the love of the land never left him. His approach though, is a bit unique. Grey now owns and runs one of the most popular Halloween haunted attractions in the state.
Working the fields, helping with the family dairy business. It taught him the value of hard work. So after graduating from NC State in 1992 Grey headed south to grow his own career – moving to Atlanta and making a name for himself as a graphic artist for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. His career then brought him back to North Carolina and a stint in the graphics department of the Raleigh News & Observer. It was after being “downsized” that he started to think about again creating a life on the farm. But given his creative background, his plans were a bit unique.
“After leaving the N&O I’ve continued to freelance as a graphic designer. I keep busy, but it also frees me up to create the Haunt Farm,” explains Grey. The idea of the Haunt Farm was met with a bit of skepticism at first. When he explained the concept of the Haunt Farm to his parents it was reminiscent of the scene in Field of Dreams when Kevin Costner announces that he is going to plow under the corn. “It certainly caught them off guard,” Grey says with a smile, “But once we sat down and walked through the plan, we started to realize “yea, we can do this.’” Still it took some doing to get it up and running. Like Costner’s corn baseball field, with the Haunt if you build it they will come, but first you have to build it.
Work commenced during the summer of 2015 – clearing brush, repairing old barns and sheds, and laying the groundwork for opening night. After a lot of sweat, sun burn, bug bites and poison ivy, Granville Haunt Farm opened that October. And like the scene out of Field of Dreams, the crowds showed up in full force. Haunt Farm was an immediate hit.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the turn out that first year,” says Grey. “People seemed to really embrace the idea.”
Attendance has grown steadily ever since, making it an October tradition for many families. Grey started with three attractions to the Haunt: Corn Maze, Haunted Trail and Zombie Paintball Hayride. As the Haunt grew, he added an Escape Room in an old tobacco barn on the property.
But this year’s pandemic is forcing a change. In an effort to adhere to the Governor’s executive order, Granville Haunt Farm will be hosting their first-ever Drive-Through Haunted Trail. Customers will be able to stay safe inside their vehicles as they journey down a path filled with the sights and sounds of their favorite scary movies.
The decision to completely reorganize the Haunt did not come easily. Ongoing pandemic fears created a year of uncertainty. In fact, Grey wasn’t even sure he’d be able to open at all. But news of a drive-through haunted attraction in Japan caught Grey’s eye on social media. He immediately loved the idea, but still wondered how well it would be received by his customers. After the state announced that the NC State Fair would be closed due to Covid-19, Grey decided to make the tough decision to change course. Response to the drive-through idea has been overwhelmingly positive since the announcement on social media on Sept. 2nd.
Open Fridays and Saturdays from October 9th to Oct. 31st (Halloween). Tickets are based on the number of people in the vehicle, starting at $10 per person. Discounts kick in when more passengers are in the vehicle. Purchasing tickets in advance online is encouraged for a completely contactless experience. For more information on this Uniquely Carolina treat visit Granville Haunted Farm.
Granville Haunted Farm
4534 US Highway 15 Oxford, NC 27565
Granville County brings together the best of small-town living and easy access to metropolitan amenities. www.visitgranville.com
