<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4fjoAC_0vkdzThL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4fjoAC_0vkdzThL00" width="853" height="784" ><figcaption>Vincent Mudgett. Foto News file photo.</figcaption></figure>TINA L. SCOTTThe Haunted Sawmill, 700 Hendricks St. in Merrill, will kick off their 14th season this Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in a Spooktacular fashion. Opening night is dubbed “The Gates of Asylum” and offers half-price admission for haunted house and Halloween fans who want to “get an early start on their October fun,” said a representative of the Friends of Vincent Foundation, Inc.The Friends of Vincent Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to help young people in Merrill and the surrounding communities gain access to activities, outings, and events that they may not have been able to afford on their own which utilizes The Haunted Sawmill as their primary fundraiser and an avenue for many area youth to be involved in a common cause, fostering a sense of community and family along with giving the involved kids acting, production, and fundraising experience as a part of The Haunted Sawmill.“In addition to it’s fundraising goals, The Haunted Sawmill also affords children a place to come and learn new skills, promote their creativity, and gives them a safe environment to come and be a part of something special,” their website says. “Children get to see their ideas flourish and come to life. They also get hands on experience with things like building, planning a project, and responsibility. The Haunted Sawmill is open to all children and their families and promotes diversity, respect, friendship and responsibility.”The Haunted Sawmill focuses on helping children locally in our own communities, said Gerald Hersil, who founded the Friends of Vincent Foundation. “Over the years, the Friends of Vincent Foundation has started its own high school scholarship program, helped children and their families with extracurricular activity costs that they might not otherwise have been able to afford, and started their own ‘Spirit of Christmas Giving’ program where families are provided with toys, food, and clothing,” Hersil said.In 2023, funds raised through The Haunted Sawmill helped more than 60 families have a brighter Christmas season, he said.The Haunted Sawmill is open every weekend in October with varying themes each weekend, and on Oct. 31 for “Vincent’s Halloween Bash.” Complete information and tickets are available at hauntedsawmill.org, or follow facebook.com/HauntedSawmill.In addition, “Vincent Mudgett, the head ghoul of the haunt, is playing games on his own Facebook page where people can win free tickets to this year’s show or even Haunted Sawmill merchandise,” organizers said. Check out his page at: facebook.com/vincent.mudgett.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Haunted Sawmill kicks off the 2024 season in a Spooktacular fashion

The Haunted Sawmill, 700 Hendricks St. in Merrill, will kick off their 14th season this Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in a Spooktacular fashion. Opening night is dubbed “The Gates of Asylum” and offers half-price admission for haunted house and Halloween fans who want to “get an early start on their October fun,” said a representative of the Friends of Vincent Foundation, Inc.