Dominion of Terror benefits community
New "Escape Room" gives groups 45 minutes to solve riddles, find clues, and escape.
Dominion of Terror benefits community New "Escape Room" gives groups 45 minutes to solve riddles, find clues, and escape. Check out this story on sheboyganpress.com: http://shebpr.es/2ebztv2
USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin Published 4:12 p.m. CT Oct. 13, 2016
A scene from the 2016 Dominion of Terror.(Photo: Photo courtesy Dominion of Terror)
SHEBOYGAN - A non-traditional way to positively impact people in the community is a frightening, yet entertaining alternative–-pay for an excursion through the Sheboygan Jaycees' Dominion of Terror.
The haunted house is open 7-10 p.m. Oct. 14-15, 20-22 and 27-31, and is holding a lights-on matinee from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22. Tickets are $15 all nights, except for "Throwback Thursday" on Oct. 20. Matinee admission is $3, or $5 if interested in doing crafts.
The proceeds from this seasonal haunted house benefit many throughout the community, including low-income families, large local organizations and civic groups such as Two Left Paws, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Sheboygan Police K-9 Unit.
A scene from the 2016 Dominion of Terror. (Photo: Photo courtesy Dominion of Terror)
"We donate (proceeds) back out to the community. Last year, we did a food bank and 'Spend with a Friend.' It's like Shop with a Cop, where we take (a child) out shopping for Christmas presents for their families," Nina Pfeifer, 2016 Dominion of Terror chair, said.
Pfeifer said she remembers going through the house as a youth. As an adult, the joy continues as she helps create an entertaining event that benefits the community she grew up in.
The haunted house takes place in an old, boarded up building owned by RCS Empowers at 2024 N. 15th Street. RCS allows the Jaycees to use the building year-round for the planning, building and hosting of the haunted house, and in return, a generous donation is made to the organization each year.
"We really appreciate the support and volunteerism (from the Jaycees). They are good people that understand and appreciate what we do," Ruth Weigel, a day services coordinator of RCS Empowers, said.
RCS' mission is to empower individuals with disabilities and special needs so that they may work, live and function with dignity and respect.
The donations from the Sheboygan Jaycees are used by RCS for its annual Christmas party. RCS participants, volunteers and employees get to see a performance at the Weill Center and then return to RCS to visit with Santa Claus, enjoy skits, take part in crafts and enjoy some singing, dancing and door prizes.
A head on the stove at the Dominion of Terror as seen Saturday September 20, 2014 in Sheboygan. (Photo: Gary C. Klein/Sheboygan Press Me)
"They get things they normally might not get because of their situation ... the community is so generous ... it's a lovely day," Weigel said.
Since 1974, the Sheboygan Jaycees, with the help of "housers," individuals who have a passion for building and creating haunted houses, have been planning, building, painting and creating scary, creative and creepy scenarios within hand-built rooms and designed in a maze-like fashion.
This year, there are 28 different rooms, some of which have hidden exits. A cast of characters wear frighteningly realistic costumes, instilling fear in the group touring through the house.
New this year is the "Escape Room." Groups of up to 10 have 45 minutes to solve riddles and find clues in an attempt to escape from a horrific-basement, complete with live, terrifying characters.
A being is well expired at the Dominion of Terror. Press photo/Gary C. Klein (Photo: GARY C. KLEIN, GARY C. KLEIN)
The attraction is separate from the haunted house and costs $10 per person. Reservations are suggested. Times to enter the Escape Room are 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Creating the house is a year-long effort with design ideas and prop-making beginning immediately after the close of the house on Oct. 31. In May of each year, the team of about 25 begins tearing down the old house and then installing a new maze of rooms to build, paint and embellish.
Throughout the season about 250 different people are involved in various capacities, with about 55 actors terrifying visitors each evening.
What: Dominion of Terror haunted house
When: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 14-15, 20-22, 27-31; lights-on matinee 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22
Where: 2024 N. 15th St., Sheboygan
Tickets: $15 at the door except for Oct. 20 when tickets are $10; sold 7-10 p.m.
Website: www.dominionofterror.com and www.facebook.com/DominionOfTerror
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