21st Communications Squadron hosts haunted house

Published Oct. 28, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Rose Gudex
21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As children, Halloween was a time to load up on candy. As we got older, the candy was still cool, but haunted houses were the thing to do. There was something enticing about holding onto your best friends and screaming, or crying (although no one would admit it), while searching frantically for the nearest way out.

Now Airmen can experience the same adrenaline rush at the 21st Communications Squadron's haunted house from 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 30 in building 1038.

Anyone who lives or works on Peterson, and their families, are invited to attend. Admission is free.

The idea for the new project was coined by Master Sgt. Shannon Calcote, 21st CS first sergeant, who passed the idea on to Tech. Sgt. Anthony Renner, 21st CS NCO in charge of quality assurance evaluations, who took it and ran with it.

For Renner, Halloween was always a passion, even while growing up. It was both his and his mom's favorite holiday.

"I love Halloween," Renner said. "I've put on haunted houses many times for church and then my mom passed away. I do [this] for her."

This haunted house is among many events taking place those few days, however, the time does not conflict with any other event. Airmen can participate in other base Halloween activities and also come out to the haunted house.

Without giving too many spoiler alerts, the haunted house has big plans in the works to make this event a large success. Renner said there will be four main scare areas, then extras roaming around to increase the scare factor.

"I will say there will be zombies," he said. "There are hints in the flyer available at the event to give ideas of what to expect."

Depending on just how much you want to get scared, the guides will have different color glow sticks to deliver just the right amount of scare power. Renner said you just don't know what to look out for.

"It's always the subtle things that make a haunted house," he said.

When looking for volunteers, Renner said Airmen from across the squadron volunteered, along with some of the Airmen's family members.

"The volunteers came up with the ideas," he said. "I wanted them to take ownership and pride in what they're doing."

Besides coming up with ideas for and designing the haunted house, the volunteers will also be building and setting everything up in the few days leading up to the event, Renner said.

While all the big kids go through the haunted house to get scared, those that are either too young or too afraid can hang out in the kids' area, he said. The kids' area will have coloring, crafts and other fun Halloween things for children to do who don't want to get scared.

Renner wants this to become an annual event at Peterson, so come out for the free haunted house and enjoy some Halloween fun.