Many unsuspecting people followed the dirt path, expecting to be entertained by not knowing what was lurking inches ahead.

Darkened characters sprang out of the intertwining leafy shadows of trees along the winding path in the Haunted Forest on the corner of Elwood Drive and South Fourth Street. The characters of the Haunted Forest began their task of scaring members of the Ames community on opening night Thursday.

Some of the ghoulish creatures carried props to scare guests of the forest.

“Oh my gosh . look behind you . get away from us,” said Micah Miller, sophomore in agricultural education, after facing roaring chainsaws.

On various bends of the walk sat deadly scenes. One setting exposed a pasty white female strapped beneath a silver-bladed killing device.

Visitors on the path were led past scenes and through blackened rooms filled with the sounds of a witch’s cackle, recorded deep-toned music and swirling wind.

“This is a dead end too,” said Carey Bender, junior in psychology, after his third attempt at leaving a darkened room.

Bender said he didn’t think the Haunted Forest was scary but enjoyed the finale.

“It was pretty cool; the ending was sweet,” he said. “It’s a great setting.”

Laura Woodrow, junior in apparel merchandising, design and production, attended the Haunted Forest with Bender on opening night.

“It was a little cheesy, but the ending was awesome,” she said. “It was fun.”

In the forest’s second year, general manager Curtis Claxton said he is happy about how everything is going.

“We consider it the biggest and best haunted attraction in central Iowa,” he said. “This was our first night, but with all things considered, it has gone remarkably smooth.”

Claxton, of Dallas, Tex., said he is a seven-year veteran of running professional haunted houses. His job title of choice is “hauntmeister.” The Haunted Forest is owned by the family of Orville Ballard, Polk City’s magician.

Claxton said he was a little worried about doing the show outside because of the cold.

“The question came up about doing this outside in the woods, and I was thinking, `Man, it’s Iowa, it’s cold weather,'” he said. “My boss told me `People in Iowa own coats – don’t worry about it.'”

This Thursday is Iowa State Appreciation Night, Claxton said. All ISU students, faculty and staff can get into the forest for half price.

“Without [students] over there we couldn’t run the show in this location,” he said. “We try to give a little something back, so that’s what we do.”

Claxton says he plans to continue with the Haunted Forest since the event has been doing well. “We plan to be here in the future, year after year,” he said.

The Haunted Forest is open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday and from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. The last night is Tuesday, Oct. 31. It costs $10 per person.