'Zombies of the Corn' haunted attraction set for 8th season of frightful fun in Freedom

Weekends are about to get a little spookier.

The interactive Zombies of the Corn haunted attraction is set to open for its eighth season Sept. 25 and 26 at the 70-acre Three Rivers Paintball compound along Rochester Road in Freedom, Beaver County.

“With fright levels for all ages, October is the perfect month to enjoy the outdoors,” owner Ryan Krischke said. “And what could be more fun than shooting at live zombies that can’t shoot back?”

In addition to riding on “zombie fighting” vehicles to blast the undead with paintballs, the attraction features a zombie compound, a blackout maze, an outdoor movie theater and storytelling by the bonfire.

Tickets for the attraction can be purchased online.

Krischke said health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus are in place “and every precaution is being implemented.”

“We’ll be sanitizing the guns and battlewagons between every ride,” he said. “And hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and exit to every attraction.

“Thankfully, we are an outdoor event, so social distancing can be obtained — but masks will be needed before the ride or any exhibits.”

The attraction will be open on weekends through October. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Zombies of the Corn will donate the proceeds from the $5 per car requested donation to park at the site to charity.

“We’ve always wanted there to be a charity component for the event as a way to give back to the community,” said Debra Krischke, who co-owns the attraction with her husband.

Members of the Sunrise Rotary Club in Cranberry will be handling the parking and collecting the donations, which will go to the Victim Outreach Intervention Center, or VOICE, a domestic violence center in Butler County.

Last year, Rotary members collected more than $8,000 in donations for charity from people visiting Zombies of the Corn.

The opening weekend will serve as a fundraiser for Crisis Center North, which works with victims of domestic violence, and the Cross Your Paws animal rescue organization in Irwin, Westmoreland County.

“Everything we do is focused on fundraising for women’s initiatives, ” Debra Krischke said.

She said over the years, the attraction has grown in popularity because of its focus on providing family-friendly fun.

“We have so many customers who go to all the haunts in the area but come back each year saying this is their favorite,” Krischke said. “Our park is truly unique as we work hard to ensure our customers have a safe, fun and fright-filled Halloween attraction.”