PALM COAST, Fla. (October 31, 2024) – It’s an annual tradition for families in Palm Coast to make a stop at the Hall of Terror for a night of freakishly scary fun. It’s just as much a tradition for the families at the fire house to take part in fun.
2024 is Mia Strozier‘s seventh year dressing up or helping in some way and this year she’s recruited a few friends as well to participate in the fun. Showcasing some of horror’s greatest slashers of all time, the trio greeted families heading in on Wednesday evening for a thrill.
“This is their first year, I just kind of invited them because they wanted to participate this year,” said Strozier. “It’s a lot of fun. I like scaring people personally. It’s fun watching the community come together to enjoy some fun, free festivities is really great.”
Just back from a run, dad Christopher Strozier, a driver engineer paramedic with the Palm Coast Fire Department loves that his family can take part in spooking residents with some good, clean fun.
“I get really excited to watch her get involved. She loves this stuff. It brightens up her day to the point where she’s like ‘you should talk to Mr. Dan about doing this’ and I say ‘you should sit down with Mr. Dan and give him your ideas’. This is her thing and she loves it,” he said.
It’s an added bonus that he gets to see residents he usually sees under much scarier circumstances, with a smile on their faces as the brave the Hall of Terror.
“It’s definitely a lot more fun to see them here. I’d much rather see them here having fun in their house or living room,” shared Strozier. “The great thing is a lot times they recognize us here too, and it’s nice to see that they’re doing well. The turnout seems to get bigger and bigger every year, so with a free event for the public, you can’t ask for anything better.”
It’s a lot of work coming up with the themes and pulling it all off, but ‘Boo Master’ Lt. Dan Driscoll has a gleam in his eye as he talks about 13 years of heading up the fright night activities.
“I’ve been Boo Master for the last 12 years, this is year 23. It’s amazing. I love this event. Aside from I don’t have any hair any longer,” he said, teasing. “I’ve enjoyed doing the event, it’s been a fun 13 years. I’ve been helping for 13, I took over after the first year so I guess I’ve been doing a good job.”
Even before dark, families are lined up to head into the transformed fire station #21, and Driscoll and his team added a new element to this year’s event, with a low sensory experience for residents with special needs.
“The theme this year is slashers, so it’s all the classic slashers throughout horror movie history and this year I was contacted by a group that has special needs children who require certain low sensory options,” explained Driscoll. “This is something we can do, so we did. The first hour we did some of lights and sounds were turned down, some of the scares and props we modified to ensure they could enjoy the experience as well.”
Because it’s free, families and groups of teens head back through the haunted hall during the evening, stopping to grab a bite to each from the food trucks on site, as squeals and peals of laughter ring out into the night.
“It’s a free event and we want as many people as possible to enjoy it,” said Driscoll.
Volunteering with her family after work, Tera Fierro says lending a hand with a family-friendly event gives them a chance to get to know other families in the community and experience the small-town charm Palm Coast has to offer.
“I think it’s fun. It’s really good for my 17-year-old kid to get out there, my husband just got off work, and it’s a fun, family activity to do,” she said. “We’re really trying to get to know our community.”
The 23rd Annual Hall of Terror runs October 30 and October 31st from 7-10 PM at Palm Coast Fire Station #21, located at 9 Corporate Drive, Palm Coast. There is no cost to attend.
