As far as I can remember, my first introduction to Knott's Halloween Haunt was in October of 1981, as part of a church youth group trip from Irvine, California.  The minute I stepped into the fog-choked realm of the Scary Farm, I was hooked.  Like so many other fans - and monsters - the spirit of the Haunt sank its teeth into my heart and has never let go.  It's a love affair that I cherish and an annual event that I wait for like a child waits for Christmas Morning.

In 1994, I founded Theme Park Adventure - a company that would cover theme park events and attractions for our readers both in print as well as online.  One of the first big stories we featured was Knott's Halloween Haunt.  What began in 1994 has grown into the single largest production that Theme Park Adventure brings its readership each year.  Our coverage of Knott's Halloween Haunt is the most extensive, honest and fun that fans will find anywhere; we were the first and I'd like to think, we're still the best when it comes to bringing Ghost Town, The Gauntlet, vampires, werewolves, demons and nightmares into your home.

I've walked on both sides of the fence.  I worked one year at Haunt in the early '90s as part of its Line Control staff.  In 2000 as part of our coverage, I became a Ghost Town Streets monster for a night - one of the best damn nights of my life, hands-down.  The monsters of Halloween Haunt have welcomed TPA into their circles, lairs and family.  The relationship that Theme Park Adventure shares with the entire Knott's staff and the incredible men and women that make up the Haunt family is one that means the world to me personally.

2004 marks the 10th Anniversary of Theme Park Adventure, beginning in September.  This year as we cover Halloween Haunt, I reflect back on the past decade - a decade of devotion - and am very proud of what we've accomplished.  I chose to name this year's coverage "A Decade of Devotion" because that's exactly what it's been.  Not only has it been an undying appreciation and love of all things Haunt; it's also a very focused vision of bringing our readers the very best of Haunt coverage year in and year out.

As cliche as it may sound, I look back at these past 10 years and have to say that we're just warming up.  We've had some tremendous successes over the years - Whispers in the Fog, our scare footage, maze flow-throughs, music videos and our annual Screamy Awards.  Know however, that we're always searching for the next thrill - with new technology comes the promise of bigger and better Haunt coverage each season.

This is the earliest we have ever kicked off our Halloween Haunt celebration.  I'm just as excited as you all to know that the wheels of the Scary Farm have once again started turning.  Soon, the fog machines will be switched on, the lights in Warehouse P will come on and all things vile - and fantastic - will rise once again from their graves to roam the Farm.  From The Gauntlet to Ghost Town, from the parking lot to the top of Supreme Scream, know that TPA is in the house and we are more fired up than ever for this year's Halloween Haunt.

I love our Haunt family - those with us and those watching over us - and once again, as the wind howls through the eaves and the bats stir in the trees, I pledge our undying devotion to you all.

Have a great Haunt, everyone!

- Rick West

Build It And They Will Come - Every Haunt fan knows that the time is near once construction walls go up and new structures start popping up around Knott's Berry Farm!  This section will follow the progress of Haunt 2004's "build" phase.

Prove Your Devotion Contest - Our contest has closed and the winners are Martin Estrada of Montebello, California and Mark Pachulski of Beverly Hills, California.

You are still more than welcome to click the link and try your luck for fun, however!  Scary monsters!

A Voice in the Crowd - This unique feature takes you behind-the-scenes at Halloween Haunt as Theme Park Adventure's Rick West crosses over to the other side and lends his voice to something very special...

TPA Family Album 2004 - This is the section of our annual Haunt coverage where we give thanks to those who make this possible and post pictures that we like to call our "Family Album" of friends and things that we wish to include here for all to see.  This is the final section of our Halloween Haunt 2004 coverage - and it concludes with closing comments by Rick West.

Malice in Wunderland - Dust off those 3D glasses or grab a new pair and venture once again into the White Rabbit's dirty ol' hole as you explore the horrifying and twisted realm of Malice.

Red Moon Massacre - Climb aboard the Timber Mountain Log Ride and enter the realm of the werewolf.  Hang on for dear life as your log careens through the darkness right into the jaws of lupine monsters waiting to rip your flesh from your bones.  This ain't Red Riding's hood anymore - these wolves mean business.

Lore of the Vampire - Enter the seductive realm of the undead as gruesome and glorious vampires crawl from their coffins and fill the night with music, laughter and dark horror.  You and your friends with lose yourselves in this gothic nightmare - keep your faith strong and venture into the dominion of the undead.

Blood Bayou - Deep in the South, how purdy is yo mouth?  That's right, boy - them backwoods kin are at it again.  Travel into the swamp and come face-to-face with your deepest fears that are sure to make you squeal like a pig!  This is the strangest of strange; the type of people you only read about in tabloid rags - or see on Jerry Springer!

Hatchet High - Grab your cap and gown and head on in to the ultimate rock and roll high school as the Class of 2004 takes you on a terror trip through the halls of knowledge.  This is your moment to screa... shine, students!  Attend the prom, visit the cafeteria or visit the locker room - whatever you do, prepare to be edumakated, Haunt-style!

Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns - From Outer Space - Who says scary things don't come from Uranus?  What's worse than a bunch of clowns in 3D?  Clowns from outer space, which is the new twist this year on one of the Scary Farm's oldest and most celebrated mazes.  Put on your bulb nose, huge bow tie and over-sized shoes and head on it to the big top, where there's no room for Bozos - these clowns are much more fun!

Army of the Underworld - Hop aboard the Scary Farm's Mine Train and travel into the cavernous world of spirits and legends of civilizations long forgotten.  Will the world's most famous Glory Hole deliver thrills and chills in 2004?  Hop aboard and find out for yourself!  This choo-choo will make the timid doo-doo!

Red Beard's Revenge - Avast there, ye scurvy scum!  Knott's designers have really done it with the Haunt's all-new pirate maze (if you missed it's debut last year, you really blew it).  Treasure and terror await as these swashbuckling monsters roam and raid, pillage and plunder yer booty in search of gold and other nuggets!  It's a terror trip on a pirate ship that's definitely no Mickey Mouse business!  Yo ho!

The Asylum - Padded cells, bloodied walls, crazed doctors, slutty... er, gorgeous and professional nurses and a whole lot of probing and poking going on - that's what The Asylum is all about, kids!  Take a trip with a happy pill and find yourself in a virtual nightmare of madmen and meds.  Tighten up those straight jackets - it's time to get mental.

Curse of the Spider - The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.  Down came the rain and washed the spider out.  Out came the moon and dried up all the rain and the itsy bitsy spider made its way into your veins.  And under your skin, into your hair, in your ears, down your throat and into your brain.  If spiders make you wee-wee then brace yourself and buy a thick pair of pants - travel into this cursed web and see what these 8-legged freaks have in store for 2004!

Terror Vision - In 3D - Turn on the old boob tube and relax.  It's time for television from the past... Halloween Haunt-style!  It's a trip around the dial in 3D as you wander through your favorite shows and come face-to-face with your worst fears (minus Joan Rivers, as she'll probably be having her 1047th face lift during October) as the television comes to life and consumes you.  Your parents always said too much TV will rot your brain.  This one will flat-out kill you!

Jaguar - Temple of Sacrifice - This ain't no ordinary coaster queue.  No, this is the Temple of Sacrifice, where you will travel back and encounter blood-thristy Aztecs looking for some fresh meat.  You don't have to ride the roller coaster once you've ventured through this spooky queue area - but you should at least take a stroll through this pyramid's darkened corridors!

Dr. Cleaver's Psycho Circus - Ah, the good doctor is in the house (the BIG house, this year) and he's got just what you need for some late night Halloween Haunt entertainment!  There's a whole lot of laughs, dancing and good old-fashioned T&A (thrills and acrobatics) that will add just the right touch to the Haunt.  But not too much touching - you'll go blind!

The Hanging - It's time once again to rumble in the Square as the year's most infamous moments are played out nightly at the gallows of Ghost Town.  Who'll be hung this year?  Bush?  Kerry?  William Hung (that's two hungs for the price of one)?  What movies will be spoofed?  What celebs will be jabbed?  Only time will tell - and you the good citizens of Calico, will bear witness to the Scary Farm's ultimate extravaganza!

Ghost Town - The fog is billowing, your pulse is pounding and out of the darkness comes the grinding, gnashing sound of a slider with you in its sights!  This is where it all began, kids - and this is where some Haunt legends roam nightly...

The Gauntlet - Enter a dark kingdom of fantasy, horror and good ol' Haunt monsters.  Whether you're looking for some of the best talent at the Scary Farm or looking for the fright of your life, there's nothing childish about Camp Snoopy when the lights go out.  For these Scary Farm monsters, it's showtime!

The Swamp - You can't keep a great group of monsters down - and that includes by building a massive roller coaster in the middle of their personal space!  Here Haunt fans will find some stunning talent, fantastic scares and one of the creepiest areas ever to grace the Scary Farm!

CarnEvil - Hurry, hurry, hurry!  Step right up and have a look at the baby!  Come to the boardwalk from Hell and encounter a host of scary monsters, strange visuals and maybe even the King himself! 

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