City Preps Popular Heritage Hill 'Haunt'

Zombies, ghouls and vampires—oh, my!

Expect a host of spooky monsters at Lake Forest's fourth annual Halloween Haunt at Heritage Hill Park, coming up Oct. 21.

The city expects 1,000 people at the popular event, tailored for young adults ages 12 and older.

Preparations for the event, from painting to preparing props, are already under way at the park at 2151 Serrano Rd.

In partnership with Orange County Parks, the city is setting up a Haunted School House with Fright Maze, Ma’s & Pa’s Backyard Scare Zone, a mobile video game truck, game booths and other surprises.

Also planned for the fall holiday event are guest deejays and a screening of the classic movie The Wolf Man, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

It won't just be monsters in attendance—members of the Chaney acting dynasty are going to be the Haunt's special guests.

Ron Chaney, grandson of The Wolf Man star Lon Chaney Jr., will be on hand to answer questions about his family’s achievements in cinema.

Lon Chaney Jr. also played a role in Of Mice and Men; his father Lon Chaney, in turn, was a silent film star, featured in films including The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Ron Chaney recently starred in House of the Wolf Man, a film homage to classic horror films. Sponsored by Chic-Fil-A of Foothill Ranch, the Chaneys' appearance is meant to connect the modern-day Halloween holiday with a bit of history, said Ron Rivera, who is organizing the event for the city.

Dancers from local chapters of "Thrill the World" will perform the Thriller dance at the Haunt, Rivera said.

Cost is $5 per person. All proceeds go back to Heritage Hill Park.

Follow the city's preparations for the event on its Facebook page set up just for the Haunt at Heritage Hill Park at facebook.com/LFhaunt.

Interested in volunteering? Call Lake Forest City Hall at (949) 461-3450.