Haunted Happenings At Marinelab
By Molly Ripka, Seasonal Instructor
Our haunted house scared even the bravest souls…
It was a dark and stormy night at MarineLab, and little ghouls and ghosties had started to arrive! There were treats and tricks, such as hot dogs, popcorn, and games, tables with strange critters like sea slugs and sea stars, tables with crafts, and races and a table with mystery boxes containing slimy things.
Instructor Clara showed our visitors some fun critters!
Our visitors had such fun exploring the spooky activities, but the bravest of them continued on into the haunted house. A tunnel full of pirates, spiders, and mermaids awaited them! A ghostly pirate emerged from a treasure chest, and a skeleton mermaid stared out from her underwater bubble. Those who wanted an even more spine-chilling experience left the haunted house and entered the dreaded Haunted Lagoon.
Our snorkelers visit one of the cursed souls underneath the lagoon dock
This snorkel adventure was led by four unearthly guides, who told the tale of siren mermaids who lured unwary pirates into the lagoon. Cursed forever, they remained to scare those who dared venture into their watery prison! Pirates, mermaids, and undead creatures sought to terrify our doomed snorkelers. Jules’ Undersea Lodge even had an undersea garden that was guarded by a zombie mermaid! Luckily, the snorkelers survived the lagoon with minimum casualties, and returned to warn those who were to venture into the lagoon next.
Our zombie mermaid was very territorial of her undersea garden
Marinelab visits Pennekamp’s Trunk-Or-Treat!
But our tale doesn’t end here… a week later, the MarineLab spirits appeared again, this time to haunt the Pennekamp state park. Tiny princesses, ninjas, witches, and creatures of all sorts visited the pirates and mermaids for candy, temporary tattoos, and a good ol’ game of Boo Ball (otherwise known as “ghost bowling”).
Instructor Molly leads our young ghostbusters in a game of Boo Ball
Other haunts to visit included a lit up forest, a spooky coral tree, and a live talking parrot! Afterwards, they all visited the aquarium while the rain started up outside.
All in all, it was a successful haunting this year with MarineLab. Several tricks, and many treats, were given out. The little ghouls and ghosties left with chocolate-covered faces and content smiles, and next year we’ll see you all for even more scary fun!
Some of our Haunted Lagoon survivors pose at the Marinelab photobooth