Complete with chainsaws, ghosts and an interactive robot, the Haunted Forest knows how scare people.

Run by the Ballard family for the last 14 years, the art of terror at the annual event near campus is a family affair.

“We enjoy doing it, it’s a family deal that we all do together,” said Lee Ballard, co-owner of Haunted Forest.

The idea originated when Ballard’s father performed as a magician. The “magical part” and the illusion gave the family a thought to create their own Halloween go-to event.

“It’s just fun for the family to do something like this,” Ballard said.

But the Haunted Forest is not just home to the Ballard family. In addition to family, students are hired as paid actors to help scare patrons. Each night, the family hires nearly 40 students to work.

“We like supporting Iowa State students,” Ballard said. “They bring a lot of creativity to it, that’s what it revolved around. We supply the costumes, the trail and some of the props, and they put their own little twist to it.”

For Kim Paul, sophomore in psychology, this is her first time acting in the Haunted Forest. Paul’s role in this year’s event is a cannibalistic clown. Although being paid is an added bonus for her, Paul said she primarily enjoys simply being involved.

“I would do it without pay. I love acting and I would do anything acting without pay. It’s fun to see everyones’ reactions,” Paul said.

To run this event takes months of preparation, and Ballard said after every Haunted Forest, the plans for the next year begin to unfold.

”It’s a year-long process,” Ballard said. “Right after we close for this year, we’ll be starting for next year: picking the dates we’re going to be open, going to conventions to see new props and new ideas. We’re constantly looking for ideas.”

And the year of preparation shows in the response from the crowd. Ballard noted that ambulances have even been called to the trail for some of the spooked participants.

“We have a lot of wet pants, we have a lot of people that lose their breath. It’s been known to have an ambulance pull in if someone is having a panic attack,” Ballard said. “We do a really good job.”

Location: South 4th Street

Admission: $12 per person

Hours: Friday – Saturday, 7 p.m.-Midnight

Sunday – Wednesday (Halloween), 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.