Halloween haunts are often characterized by jump scares and an imagining of the afterlife’s dread. They’re often held at amusement parks or sometimes crafted in neighborhood garages for trick-or-treating, but neither offers patrons a squeaky-clean car after they’ve experienced some terror.
Scary clowns and undead monsters will roam alongside patrons at this year’s creepy circus-themed Haunted Carwash at the Big Wave Car Wash in Anaheim. In addition to the frightening carnival dwellers, a second attraction at the Carwood Car Wash in Lakewood will feature an eerie ghost graveyard theme. Both events begin Oct. 5 and run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 21, and then daily from Oct. 26 through Nov. 2.
The Haunted Carwash was founded by spooky enthusiasts Long Vo and Veronica Young of Huntington Beach. It began as the Tunnel of Terror in 2020 before rebranding to the Haunted Carwash, which is now in its second year. The event resulted from the coronavirus pandemic’s social distancing measures, which encouraged sparse in-person interactions.
“We wanted to bring something to the community with some sense of hope that you could still go out there and do a little bit of celebrating at that time,” Young said. “After the fact, it’s been more of the community that’s helped us come back because they enjoyed it so much. We never imagined that we would continue to do it.”
As fans of Halloween, Vo and Young took inspiration from their favorite theme parks and movies to create a remote experience where people could stay safe and enjoy a nice scare while getting their vehicles scrubbed clean.
The drive-thru car wash functions as it normally would. Customers buy a ticket online in advance, line up to enter the tunnel, set their cars to neutral when prompted, and remain in their vehicles. While patrons wait to get on the conveyor belts, the creepiness invoked by clowns gone mad and ghosts freed from their tombs begins.
Monsters with props such as chainsaws and less spooky ones like a squeegee follow participants down the dark car wash lot, with surprise scares throughout every motion. Flashing lights and fog help set the freaky scene in the tunnel, while spooky sound effects are broadcast through an FM channel to evoke a sense of horror.
Young said many people behind the masks are returning from previous years and typically bring their own masks and styles to both locations, hoping to instill fear in those working their way through the car wash. She added that having two locations has helped accommodate people looking to participate in the experience and gives them more options to purchase tickets, which can sell out in the mornings before the events.
The Haunted Carwash begins at 6 p.m. at both locations on select dates. The event is open to all ages, and it’s one ticket per vehicle. For those who plan on bringing their little ones just getting accustomed to the frightful monsters, bringing them from 5 to 7 p.m. while still some daylight might help ease their fears.
If you go
When: Opens in Lakewood on Thursday, Oct. 3 and Anaheim on Friday, Oct. 4. 6-10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 21 and daily Oct. 26-Nov. 2.
Where: Big Wave Express Car Wash, 2219 West Lincoln Ave., Anaheim and Carwood Car Wash, 2729 E. Carson St., Lakewood.
Tickets: Starts at $30 per vehicle.
Information: thehauntedcarwash.com.
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