Halloween Haunt in Briargrove

A look at what Bob and Deb Merril's haunted house looked like from the outside last Halloween. 

It’s that time of year again. Pumpkins, ghosts, bats, witches’ hats, zombies and other eerie decorations start to emerge from where they’ve been hiding since last Oct. 31. Costume ideas are floating around. And parents and kids alike are starting to make their Halloween plans. 

One option is the spooky home haunt in Briargrove at Bob and Deb Merril’s house.

“All year long, I meet people and they say, ‘Oh, YOU’RE the haunted house guy!” he said. “This time of year, many people stop by and ask how things going – moms with strollers, joggers and especially kids on bikes, watching the garage or driveway almost every day in anticipation of what the haunt will feature this year.”

The haunt includes technology that you’d find in a commercial haunted house, such as spooky lighting, pneumatics, prop controllers, customized sound and about 15-20 actors, many of whom are Second Baptist School students. 

These Halloween gurus incorporate technology that you’d find in a commercial haunted house – lighting, pneumatics, prop controllers, customized sound and about 15-20 actors, many of whom are Second Baptist School students. Nearly 1,000 people are drawn to the haunt, and Bob expects even more visitors this Halloween because they plan to be open two nights this year.

The haunt started back in 2008 with a fog machine, creep music coming from the bushes and a strobe light, plus a zombie costume and a flashlight. Parents and kids alike loved the spooky effects. Bob was hooked.

Every year, more and more special effects have been added.

“Briargrove is a special place during Halloween and neighbors help out on the weekends,” Bob said, “The community gets so excited about it that we stay inspired to do it each year.”

But the real question is: How scary is it really? Bob explained that the goal of commercial haunted houses is to scare a 21-year-old male. Of course, this wouldn’t work in a neighborhood that has so many young children. So there are two “modes” to the house.

The first, which he calls “Happy Halloween mode,” is aimed toward young kids, in which the haunt gets toned down when enough young kids arrive and want to enter the haunted house. At this time, actors take a break from their roles of scaring participants but kids and their parents are still able to walk through and check out the haunt, the design work and special effects. Some of the props, triggered by sensors, are still active and frightening. 

Bob and Deb Merill with sons (from left) Max, age 12 and Jack, 10, who both attend St. Anne's Catholic School. 

The other mode includes full-on scare tactics, which they refer to as “fresh meat,” and this is in effect for most of the night.

Currently, if you walk past their home, you’ll see a construction project going on including themes with professional-grade props. Bob said that solid wood walls with a hand-made castle façade impresses neighbors and to expect even better effects this year.

The haunt, located on Chevy Chase Dr., is open to the public and is free of charge but request donations benefiting The Children’s Fund. This year, the haunt will be open on Friday, Oct 30 from 9-10:30 p.m., which will give parents and kids a chance to visit even before other Halloween fun happens on Oct. 31. Bob warns that this night is likely to be “fresh meat only” so beware! It’s also open on Sat., Oct. 31, 6-10 p.m. See more info here.