800 people seek thrills at North Country Nightmares attractions

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Halloween is just around the corner and around 800 people have already made their way to a premier spooky location: Waterton Garden Center’s North Country Nightmares.

During the day, the venue is promoted as a more family-friendly, less scary adventure.

“It was kind of scary – kind of not, but I enjoyed it with my family,” said Haunted Hayride rider Graeme Dickson.

When the sun goes down, fears emerge. North Country Nightmares brings 60 actors to the attractions that keep people on the edge of their seats.

“As soon as they put on their suit, they transform into this monster and bring it to life. They jump on the trailer – mess with you. It’s pretty fun,” said Cody Baker, manager of North Country Nightmares.

The North Country Nightmare’s haunted hayride includes sights such as a spooky circus, a pirate ship and Camp Crystal Lake.

This is the second year Watertown Garden Center has hosted North Country Nightmares at its location.

Baker says North Country Nightmares is designed to give the community something to do this time of year.

“Everything is starting to slow down, it’s kind of the last big bang before the snow hits,” Baker said.

Baker came up with the idea for this attraction and has worked hard over the past few years to get it up and running.

This year, North Country Nightmares expanded to include a full-scale madhouse solution in the Watertown Garden Center greenhouse.

“We don’t use the greenhouse that much this time of year, so we thought we’d just turn it into a mental asylum and see what happens,” Baker said.

While the North Country Nightmares event is still new to the area, Baker hopes to make it an annual tradition.

“At first we weren’t sure what would happen, but from what we’re hearing and the feedback we’re very excited. And just happy about what we’re doing,” Baker said.

North Country Nightmares is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. through Halloween. Additionally, the family hayrides are open Saturdays and Sundays through Halloween from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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