Halloween haunters are hoping to delight and frighten the whole family this month. From custom-made props to intricately placed actors, there is something for everyone this Halloween season.

Mississippi School of the Arts Artoberfest Haunted House

Those up for the thrill of a lifetime should take a trip through the Mississippi School of the Arts Artoberfest Haunted House in Cooper Hall, Oct. 28 and 29 from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

Cooper Hall, built in 1914, is a dark, old building that has been abandoned for many years.

“It is scary without the scary stuff the students put in it,” MSA school advancement director Jennifer Jackson said.

Each year, Artoberfest brings a different theme to Cooper Hall, such as a haunted carnival, insane asylum and historic downtown New Orleans. This year, the school will turn the old building into a horror-filled Home Seekers Paradise, Jackson said.

“The building will be set up as different shops in a little town,” she said. “The different rooms will feature an antique shop, doctor’s office, candy store and more, but with a scary twist to them.”

Students in each department volunteer their time to create the haunted house, Jackson said.

“Any student who wants to participate can,” she said. “The visual art students created the scenery. The theatre students are the actors. Other students are tour guides. The whole school participates in different ways.”

Admission to the haunted house is $5 for the first entry, and $3 for each consecutive entry.

“I don’t know how they have out done themselves the last few years, but they always do,” Jackson said.

Ruth Volunteer Fire Department Haunted House

For the 10th year in a row, the Ruth Volunteer Fire Department has been transformed into a haunted house fit to scare.

The annual haunted house will be held Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Nicole Lawrence, a Ruth volunteer firefighter, said the Halloween haunted house is the biggest event the department puts on for the community each year. She said the firefighters love creating the spooky spectacle, which has something for everyone.

A $5 entry fee gives access to the biggest RVFD haunted house yet. Lawrence said the building is complete with mazes and themed rooms such as the cemetery room.

“We change it up every year,” she said. “It will still be separated in different rooms, but it will not be the same thing.”

Dead ends and frights are at every turn with ghosts, goblins, witches and yes, even clowns.

Lawrence said despite the nationwide clown scare, the haunted house will still feature clowns.

“We would like to ask that no one come dressed as a clown,” she said. “If you do, you will be asked to take off the costume. We do not want to take any chances with our customers’ safety, so only staff will be dressed as clowns in the haunted house.”

For those who like a tamer Halloween treat, there will be bingo Friday nights and cakewalks Saturday nights for $1 per game.

“It’s just something fun we like to do for the community each year to give back,” Lawrence said.

Proceeds from the RVFD annual Haunted House go directly to gear, equipment and funds to keep the department running.

Wesson Halloween Haunt

Want to skip the scares, but still want a Halloween adventure? Then head out to Anderson Road in Wesson for a ride by the “Silent Oaks Cemetery.”

Families are in for a treat with Brian and Beth King’s Halloween Haunt, which features a horse drawn hearse, singing pumpkins and tombstones in the “Silent Oaks Cemetery” — the name the Kings gave their display.

The display will be lit up every night from 7 to 10 p.m through Halloween.

Beverly King said “Silent Oaks Cemetery” has grown over the last few years thanks to her son’s ingenuity.

“He builds all of his props for the display,” she said. “It’s even more amazing than last year.”

The display sits on the left side of Anderson Road, in front of the Kings’ House which is located at 4179 Anderson Road in Wesson.