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Enter 'The Chamber' If You Dare…
Topics: Chamber, Halloween, Bakersfield, Bakotopia, Enloe, october, 2007, Funhouse, Travel Channel, Haunted, Maze, Monsters, horror, Scary
Posted by matt Mon Oct 15, 2007 23:25:12 PDT
Viewed 1473 times
0 responses 1 comment Location: 4009 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301

Enter 'The Chamber' If You Dare…

(PMS....unbound)

By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor

Every Halloween season, The Chamber's Dave Enloe experiences his share of thrills and spills.

Spills?

“We've had about 100 people pee their pants because they were so scared,” said Enloe of reactions to his annual funhouse, located in the parking lot of Sam Lynn Ballpark, on Chester Avenue and 40th Street in Bakersfield running through October until Halloween night.


("What you talkin' bout? I am the original Donnie Darko bunny, b***h!")

“When the Travel Channel came to film us, the camera guy ran out puking. I just Remember hearing ‘We gotta mop the floor.’ I guess we forgot to think about that.”

This is The Chamber's fourth year scaring the wits — and liquids — out of Bakotopialand's innocent. Named one of the top rated haunted attractions in the nation by the Travel Channel in 2005, Enloe and crew know their scare tactics well.



“It's like a movie,” he said. “People know it’s fake, but once they see it, they get really scared. It's more 3-D, and we get to control the atmosphere with smells and lighting, which affect the senses more.”

Enloe added that although The Chamber itself is the star of the evening, it's the anticipation leading up to the entrance that tends to drive people crazy.

“The fear doesn't start when you go in the door,” he said. “It begins when you drive up in your car, get your tickets, stand in line and we get to mess with you. A lot of people start crying even before they go in!”


("Dinner's ready!")

With a “monster squad” of 70, including 10 make-up artists, The Chamber is divided into three sections and has 35 “mini-chambers” filled with some of the most bizarre and unspeakable acts of horror you will ever see.

“It's roughly 900 feet long, and takes about 15 minutes to walk through, depending on if you walk or run,” laughed Enloe. “Some people run through in a minute.”

With such scary attention to detail and planning all year long, you'd think Enloe must get inspiration from his favorite horror flicks.


("What are they givin' me ma?")

“I don't get inspiration from movies, but I am a fan,” he said. “I like theater.”

Surprisingly, when the enterprising young thrill peddler approached local thespians to participate in his own macabre masterpiece, he was dumbfounded at the reaction he got.

“It was funny that none of the local theatres would have anything to do with me,” said Enloe. “They laughed at me even though I was ready to spend all kinds of money.”


(All for love: The Three Monsketeers)

Opening to huge lines four years ago, The Chamber also happens to be related to another former fright attraction — Campus Life's Scream In The Dark — the original Bakersfield funhouse popular in the ’70s and ’80s.

“I own 'Scream In The Dark' now,” explained Enloe of how he bought the idea from the youth ministry, complete with sets and sound truck. “They gave me all the props. It was just the end of their era.”

Now scaring up its fourth successful year in Bakersfield, Enloe appreciates all the fans and the crowds that show up every weekend.

There is however, one bit of advice he has for those thinking of going in…

“Wear some Depends undergarments. I don't wanna be blamed for any soiled clothing.”

Visit.....

Location: 4009 Chester Avenue
Dates: Oct. 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Time: 7 p.m. - ? / All Ages Admitted
Admission: $10
($1 discount coupon available online at www.chamberhaunt.com, and various locations. Coupon valid until 10/21.)

*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 13, 10 - 19 - 07

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Comment From: twinkie

OMG I think I'm gonna be the one to pee my pants when we go on the 20th, Matt! If anybody is interested in going with the bakotopia.com group, be sure to RSVP over here: http://www.bakotopia.com/ho... I'll be making goody bags again so I'll need a head count.