It’s a little bit of scary, with a whole lot of fun.
Back in March an idea arose. Like a seedling pushing its way up through the earth, it squirmed its way out from under the leaf matter and began to establish itself. The idea of putting on a “one night only” performance intrigued us at BATS. Especially one that was “open air” and set in amongst the beautiful backdrop of Wilson Botanic Park. If we had recognised then, the enormous logistical nightmare it was going to be, it’s possible to think we might have said no. But much like our seedling, as yet not weighed down by the thoughts of the large branches and trunk it will have to bare, who’s sole intent is reaching for the sky, we just kept looking up and growing.
This was not just a BATS affair tho. Volunteers from all over our community and sponsors were needed to help support our endeavours. We thank thee. With Wilson Botanic Park supplying us with the nutrients of the earth, volunteers to be our branches and sponsors the sun to provide the catalyst, the flowers have blossomed and the fruit ripe for picking this weekend.
What is Scare Park?
Without giving too much away. On Sunday 30th Oct WBP will be given a Halloween makeover.
Halloween in the park is waiting for you.
The afternoon’s Trick or Treat Spectacular, (SOLD OUT) will provide a family favourite trick or treat, lolly bonanza. Kids will take their parents on an undulating course around the park and get to meet and receive lollies from a variety of friendly characters. Vampires, Witches, Pirates, Zombies, Dolls, Mermaids to name a few spoilers. With food vans and live entertainment also on hand this will be a great fun family afternoon.
As night falls however and with the children safely in their beds, the park continues its transformation with a haunted and scarier ambience. While the live entertainment continues over in the amphitheatre The scare park is opened. Shadows through trees, noises in the dark, bubbling smoke and cackling laughs all add to the “live theatre” as various characters act out their role as you the onlooker amble your way around the course.
Beyond Apocalypse lane and past the spiders lair,
the Trolls on bridge that quake and ghosts that rise to dire.
Dracula leaves his bite and the sirens lure you in,
with Pirates of the open sea, please do not try to swim.
Mad doctors operate, amongst the walking dead,
the cries and growls that emanate from the old wooden shed.
The limbs of leftover zombie feeds,what lurks in deep thick fog,
beware the helpful backpackers……In that cage, is that a dog?
Elsa the goblin witch
Some Statistics
As mentioned the idea started in and around last March. Many months of planning.
We have over 50 volunteers in character dress and over 12 “scare Zones” throughout the 1 klm walk. Dozens of lights, fog machines, audio equipment and animated props required approximately 500m of cabling with generators and batteries supplying the majority of power. Many of the sets and props were built by volunteers and BATS over a number of working bees and months. Over a thousand different sound effects were mixed down with ambient backing music. I have to give a special thanks to the makeup, not sure how much latex and blood we have gone through but the makeup team have been unbelievable. Many costumes have been made by the actors themselves and others supplied by BATS. All of this and more moved in on the day and pulled down by next morning.
No small matter
For an inaugural event this is no small step. Its a leap with faith and we are counting on you to turn up and be entertained. $20 for a ticket to Scare Park will be worth it. Book now or miss out like many of the unfortunate Trick or treat patrons did as we were just unable to accommodate the enormous interest.
Screamin Bat
Scary rating
I have been asked by a number of people(trying to get information out of me without success) what level is this at and I have said, this more like a Dr Who episode than say, Cabin in the woods, more of an M than a R rating. We have after all, armed you with a sonic screwdriver, well a glow stick, mehh same thing.
Blood, hacked limbs are on view and spine tingling characters are ready to pounce or just suddenly appear. But we have made this evening of dark fear as safe and exciting as we can without giving you nightmares, well not for too long anyway.
Come meet some of the scary characters we have on show. Whats real and whats not we’ll leave up to you.
Casey Matters 