Last Updated: 10/24/2024
My first haunted house video was a TV commercial in 2005. I began posting haunted house video interviews in 2006 (“Screamcast” video podcast). I started doing interviews with haunt operators for this website in 2011. Eventually all my old videos will be moved over to a dedicated Des Moines Haunted Houses YouTube channel.
2024
October 3, 2024 – Video interview with Marilyn Harris of Haunted Woods in Carlisle, Iowa.
October 5, 2024 – Video interview with Lew Jordan of Zombie Hollow in Winterset, Iowa.
October 18, 2024 – Video interview with Debbie of Linn’s Haunted House. This was their opening night. A small fire caused water damage from the sprinkler system and delayed their opening by two weeks.
October 18, 2024 – Video interview with Breanne Barnum of Barnum Circus of Freaks in Des Moines, Iowa.
October 23, 2024 – Video interview with Amanda and Tyra about Tunnel of Terror at Tommy’s Express in West Des Moines, Iowa. (Re-uploaded to correct some pricing of the car wash packages.)
2023
A few more videos are still being worked on including Blank Park Zoo Night Eyes, and Tunnel of Terror car wash.
- YouTube Playlist of all videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGLbC7A0rFsNw0Ah14gFbaZ1UxWwYYpZ4
- October 14, 2023 – Video interview with Lew Jordan of Zombie Hollow (Winterset, Iowa).
- October 20, 2023 – Video interview with Marilyn Harris of Haunted Woods (Carlisle, Iowa), and some victims from Indianola.
- October 20,2023 – Video interview with Danielle Brannen of Trail of Terror (Mingo, Iowa), and Juan of El Meson Taco Shack (Colfax, Iowa).
- October 21, 2023 – Video interview with Breanne Barnum of Barnum Circus of Freaks (Des Moines, Iowa), Lily Earhart of Kool’s Sweets and Treats, and Saaba Circle.
- October 21, 2023 – Video interviews with the Linn Family, including Merlyn Linn, at Linn’s Haunted House (Des Moines, Iowa), and some victims from Adel.
- October 22, 2023 – A visit to Living History Farms for their Family Halloween event.
- October 26, 2023 – Video interview with Ben Houk of White Rabbit VR Arcade in Merle Hay Mall (Des Moines Iowa).
- October 27, 2023 – Video interview with Lisa Conard of Scream Team’s Haunted Garage (West Des Moines Iowa).
- October 27, 2023 – Video interview with Shane of Bouton Haunted Church fire department fundraiser (Bouton, Iowa).
- October 27, 2023 – Video interview with Auntie Mayhem of Tormented Souls Haunt and Scream Park (Madrid Iowa) and Nick Snider of Mad Town Labs 3-D printing.
- October 28, 2023 – Video interview with Ian Miller (Trig Biggs) of The Slaughterhouse in downtown Des Moines Iowa.
- October 28, 2023 – Video interview with Paige of No Escape Iowa in Ames, Iowa.
- October 28, 2023 – Video interview with Jesse of Iowa Silent Disco in Des Moines Iowa.
- October 29, 2023 – Video interview with Sandy Selby of The Pirate-Potter House (Des Moines Iowa).
- October 31, 2023 – Video interview with Lefty Biggs of The Slaughterhouse in downtown Des Moines Iowa.
- October 29, 2023 – Video interview with Jolena (volunteer) at the Tommy’s Express Tunnel of Terror in Grimes Iowa. (Mostly just raw footage.)
- October 29, 2023 – A visit to Blank Park Zoo for their Night Eyes event.
2005 (before DMHH)
In 2005, I did a TV commercial for Sleepy Hollow’s “Fear 2005” Halloween event. That was my first haunted house-related video. I performed on the “Time Pirates Hayride” that year 😉 (Edited on an iMac using iMovie. So high tech!)
2006 (before DMHH)
- In 2006 I began a series of videos covering the Sleepy Hollow Sports Park halloween event. I believe there were eight episodes in 2006, and then episodes 9-31 covered 2007. I do not know if I still have copies of the original videos, but if I can find them, I will post them here.
- UPDATE: A DVD copy of the 2006 videos has been located, and I think I have found the original full-quality master files. I should be able to get them online.
2007 (before DMHH)
- October 6, 2007 – Opening weekend, part 1. Sleepy Hollow Scream Park is a Halloween event in Des Moines, Iowa. It consists of six haunted attractions combined under one admission price. These video journals will cover some of the things going on during October.
- October 30, 2007 – A look at a very impressive home haunted house in Urbandale, Iowa (Des Moines). Nathaniel James has been creating more and more elaborate haunts for the past six years. 2007 saw the addition of a video pre-show, computer control systems and a full animatronic skeleton seance with synchronized lighting and audio effects. A $2 admission fee is donated to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.
2009 (before DMHH)
- October 2, 2009 – Scary Acres 2009 Montage
- October 2, 2009 – A short interview with Tony, property superintendent, of Scary Acres in Omaha, Nebraska. www.scaryacres.com
2010
2011
- October 11, 2011 – Video interview with “Trig” of The Slaughter House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 16, 2011 – An interview with Chris Bales of The Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa.
2012
- October 14, 2012 – Video interview with Dick of Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa (part 1).
- October 14, 2012 – Video interview with Merlyn Linn of Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 14, 2012 – Video interview with Sean of Ultimate Haunted House in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.
- October 14, 2012 – Video interview with Zach and Chris Bales of The Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa.
2013
- September 21, 2013 – Video interview with Chris Bales of The Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa.
- September 25, 2013 – Video interview with Trig of The Slaughterhouse in Pleasant Hill, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- October 5, 2013 – Video interview with Nathaniel of Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park. (Part 1)
- October 5, 2013 – Video interviews with Kevin Weekley of Yorkshire Dragon, Buddy & Justin of knife throwing, Jeremy from CHAOS, “Vladimir” from Castle of Blood, SINN X, and Jackie from Ottumwa. And more. (Part 2)
- October 6, 2013 – Video interview with Mindy, KJO’s Tacos, some Marshalltown victims (Kramer, Skylar and Renee) and Chris Bales of the Ankeny Haunted Barn.
- October 13, 2013 – Video interview with Resident Zombie at Ultimate Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 25, 2013 – Video interview with the Tormented Souls Haunt in Madrid, Iowa.
- October 29, 2013 – Video interview with Merlyn, Ivan and others at Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 30, 2012 – Video interview with the amazing yard haunt, Zombie Hollow, in Ubanadle, Iowa.
- October 30, 2012 – Video interview with Pat from the Haunted Garage in Grimes, Iowa.
- October 30, 2013 – Video interview with Lew Jordan at Zombie Hollow in Urbandale, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- November 1, 2013 – Video interview with Lynn Ballard of Ames Haunted Forest in Ames, Iowa.
- November 1, 2013 – Video interview with Trig of Slaughterhouse in Pleasant Hill, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- November 2, 2013 – Video interview on the final night for Linn’s Haunted House, Ankeny Haunted Barn and The Slaughterhouse.
2014
- September 24, 2014 – Video interview with Chris Bales (owner) of the Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa (near Des Moines). NOTE: This video contains behind-the-scenes construction footage which may be considered spoilers. And hockey masks.
- October 4, 2014 – Video interview with Mindy Bales, Makala Bales, Trenton and Josh, HITS 99.9 and victims from Waukee at the Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- October 4, 2014 – Video interview with Merlyn Linn (owner) and Jim Woodward (creepy clown) of Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 5, 2014 – Video interview with Nathaniel James (General Manager) of Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 27, 2014 – Video interview varios visitors and cast of the Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- October 28, 2014 – Video interviews with Hal (narrator), Lionel (driver), Kumari and Bob Henry of Tormented Souls Haunt in Madrid, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- October 28-29, 2014 – Video interview with Mike Travers of Zee-Pocalypse at Tormented Souls Haunt in Madrid, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- October 29, 2014 – Tormented Souls Haunt in Madrid, Iowa added a new paintball zombie hunt this year. This video shows how one person used up their paintballs towards the end of the ride… Poor zombie.
- October 30, 2014 – Video interview with Lynn Ballard of Ames Haunted Forest in Ames, Iowa (near Des Moines).
- October 31, 2014 – Video interview with Lew Jordan of Zombie Hollow home haunt in Urbandale, Iowa (near Des Moines). Also includes a raw footage tour of most of the attraction.
2015
- October 2, 2015 – Video interview with Merlyn Linn (owner) of Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 2, 2015 – Video interview with Jordan and Makayla Bales (bosses), Bailey (selfie stick owner), and Morgan (ticket taker) at the Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 1 of ???) Video interviews with Kevin and Kelly (parking) and a look at arriving at Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 2 of ???) Video interviews and DMHH Award presentations with Nathaniel James (general manager), Jesse Johnson (Chaos) and Freak Show the Clown (Stage Fright/Freak Show) at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 3 of ???) Video interviews with Paula (3-D Gallery) and Tina (Blazing Jack-O-Lantersn) and a peek into the Fog Maze at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 4 of ???) Video interviews with Bonnie Gosch (Humphrey’s Concessions), Jesse, Jordan, Justin and Romana (Axed in Time), Melissa and Buddy (Knife Throw), and Taylor (Nobbies – Your Ultimate Halloween Superstore).
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 5 of ???) Video interviews with Diana (Castle of Blood), Brian Ervin and Chris (Nightmare Estates), The Mad Hatter (Twisted Tales: The Next Chapter), and a glimpse inside the new Freak Show haunted walk at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 6 of ???) Video interviews with Mary and Rick Flatt (owners) at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 1 of 3) Video interviews with Lynn Ballard (owner), Lisa (ticket taker) and Shelby (hearse photos) at the Ames Haunted Forest in Ames, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 2 of 3) Video interviews with victims, Jimmy (roamer) and Lee Ballard (owner) of Ames Haunted Forest in Ames, Iowa.
- October 10, 2015 – (Part 3 of 3) Video interview with food vendor Paul Rohlf (Oak Tree BBQ) at the Ames Haunted Forest in Ames, Iowa.
- October 11, 2015 – Video interview with Jordan and Makayla Bales (bosses) plus Crazy Guy, and Lizzy, Sam and Emma (victims), and pretty much everyone else working at the Haunted Barn in Ankeny, Iowa.
- October 13, 2015 – Two-minute video from Sleepy Hollow’s Black Ops: Zombie Paintball (I recorded and edited this for them). From their facebook page:
- October 16, 2015 – Video interview and DMHH award presenations with Merlyn Linn (owner), and various visiting victims at Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 16, 2015 – Video interviews with Kristen (ticket taker), Sammy (photos), Lee Ballard (owner), and various victims at the Ames Haunted Forest in Ames, Iowa.
- October 18, 2015 – Video interviews with Nathaniel James (general manager), The Pizza Man, Monique (Bavarian Cafe), and Taylor (Castle of Blood) at Sleepy Hollow Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 24, 2015 – Video of opening gate crowds on Saturday, October 24th, 2015 at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 25, 2015 – Video of fog, fog and more fog on Sunday, October 25th, 2015 at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 30, 2015 – (Part 2 of 2) A full walk-thru of the Zombie Hollow yard haunt in Urbandale, Iowa.
- October 30, 2015 – (Part 1 of 2) Video interview with Lew Jordan and “Slash” of the amazing Zombie Hollow yard haunt in Urbandale, Iowa.
- October 30, 2015 – Video interview with Michael of the Haunted Garage home haunt in Grimes, Iowa.
- October 30, 2015 – Video interview with Amanda from the DMHH Award-winning controversial Halloween yard display in Bondurant, Iowa.
2016
- October 14, 2016 – Video interview with Merlyn Linn (owner) at Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 19, 2016 – Video interview with Justin Smith of Baxter Fun Days Trail of Terror in Baxter, Iowa.
- October 20, 2016 – Video interview with Nathaniel James of Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 23, 2016 – Video interview with Lynn Ballard of Ames Haunted Forest, Chloe (victim) of Pleasantville, and Ida of Ida’s Food Truck.
- October 25, 2016 – Video interviews with Bret Miller, Debbie and the Ticket Taker, Ivan and Shovel Man at Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House in Des Moines, Iowa.
- October 28, 2016 – Video interview with Matt Jermier of the Waukee Haunted House in Waukee, Iowa.
- October 28, 2016 – Video interview with Lew Jordan of Zombie Hollow in Urbandale, Iowa.
- October 29, 2016 – Video interview with the Haunted Garage home haunt in Grimes, Iowa.
2017
- October 5, 2017 – Video interview with Ivan, Brett and Merlyn from Linn’s Supermarket Haunted House, as well as some first-time visitors from Leon and Des Moines.
- October 14, 2017 – Video interview with Trevor from Circus of Freaks in Bussey Iowa.
- October 14, 2017 – Video interview with Grace Davidson of Thrashers House of Terror in Mount Pleasant Iowa.
- October 16, 2017 – Video interviews with Todd and John (parking), Shane (security), Breanne Barnum (Barnum Factory), Lefty Biggs (Slaughterhouse) and Colin and Kelsey (victims) at The Slaughterhouse in Des Moines Iowa.
- October 18, 2017 – Video interviews with Lisa (ticket seller), Tyler, Catherine and Grace (victims), Katie (ticket taker), and Lee Ballard at the Haunted Forest in Ames Iowa.
- October 23, 2017 – Video interviews with Elaina and Abbey (Baxter Dance Team) and Chad Maxwell (Baxter Fun Days) at the Trail of Terror in Mingo, Iowa.