By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Skeletons, scarecrows and witches, oh my! If getting spooked is your thing then the McNamara Halloween Maze is for you. From now until Halloween night, Tuesday, Oct. 31, this “Spooktacular” maze, located at 48 Hillando Drive, Shrewsbury, will be open to the public between the hours of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sean McNamara, creator of the maze, shared, “We’ve been here for about seven years and have been decorating for three. The first year was pretty small with just sticks and spider webs then the second year was something a little bigger, about half of what’s here now. This year it got so big and elaborate that we decided to extend an invitation to the community of Shrewsbury and surrounding towns.”
The inspiration came from his youth when he and his friends would create Ghost Walks which McNamara described as “putting spooky things in the woods and letting our friends walk through.” Last winter, while shoveling, he would shuffle the snow and make pathways which his kids thought were pretty cool.
McNamara and his family, which includes wife Meg, Fionna, 8 and Gavin, 6, all had a hand in the making of the maze. The serious planning began in September, with Fionna especially involved in the process.
“You can find skeletons, cornstalks, scarecrows, ghosts and graveyards,” she said. “It’s nice. I love it.” Other elements include fog, lights and spooky music.
McNamara estimates that approximately a 100 visitors have already come by and so far it’s largely been word of mouth and social media. He pointed out that his kids have even put together a concession stand selling donuts and cider.
He added that this year he knew early on that he wanted to create something for the public and the buzz has been very positive. So, the invitation to all to come by has been issued. But, if you go, you’ve been warned – enter at your own risk!