It’s back. Ready to provide chills and fun scares to the brave and not so brave alike. It’s all for Halloween good fun. It is the Workhouse’s “Madhaunter’s Madhouse Haunted Trail”

“The Madhaunter’s Madhouse Haunted Trail” has been achieving popular and critical success since it first appeared in 2016. It is now a well-regarded Halloween season caper with thousands of passionate fans expected to voluntarily become part of the fright-night romp, said Ava Spece, CEO and President, Workhouse Arts Center.

“We are thrilled to present our third annual ‘Madhaunter’s Madhouse Haunted Trail,’” said Spece. “Our haunt has become one of the most highly anticipated seasonal events in Northern Virginia. We’re so happy to be able to offer this safe, fun experience to the community.

“The Workhouse and its staff create the trail each year to take advantage of our unique and eerie location on the grounds of the former Lorton Prison,” noted Spece. The Workhouse hears from thousands of fans who love the event and want to be sure it returns each year.

For those not familiar with “The Madhaunter’s Madhouse,” it takes place across the 55-acre historic Workhouse Arts Center campus. As some recall, the Workhouse Arts Center is built on the grounds of an abandoned prison facility and reformatory.

For 2018, The Workhouse’s “frightmasters” will debut redesigned trails, spookier scenes, creepier characters, and more spectacular special effects, all designed to bring their guests’ darkest fears and nightmares to life. The popular, zombie-themed Madhaunter Escape Room will be on-site during the haunt, too.

The Workhouse staff listened closely to patron feedback about long lines. “This year, instead of waiting in a long line, our guests can enjoy spooky double-feature movies on our ballfield, along with an escape room, lawn games, food trucks, and other treats while they await their turn to be scared on the haunted trail,” said Spece.

Based on guest feedback, the “Madhaunter’s Madhouse” event will be bringing back fan-favorite experiences at the Ghost Bar Cinema, including local food trucks, themed bar, and scary movies.

So get ready for a blast of done-in-good fun and joyful “terror,” if you dare. Ramble through back alleys, old buildings and who knows what else. Get geared up as the nights are getting longer and Halloween is approaching. After all, what is Halloween without encountering some demons, scary clowns, unexpected prisoners, along with ghosts and ghouls of all shapes and sizes.

“Madhaunter’s Madhouse Haunted Trail” at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Dates and times for the event: Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, and 31, 2018 from 7 to 11 p.m. and Oct. 21 and 28, 2018, from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets: $20. Information online at http://workhousearts.org/madhaunter or call 703-584-2900. Note: Not intended for young children. Recommended for 13 years and older. May be considered too intense for some guests.