Blake's Big Apple Haunted Attractions 2022
Blake's is a company that has grown exponentially in Michigan over the last decade. You may have had their Blake's Hard Cider, which is a big part of the reason by their incredible growth, which includes multiple locations in Michigan. However, despite this growth, Blake's still holds onto their roots. One of these roots is their Haunted Farm, which has been going on for decades. After all these years, Blake's is still managing to put on an entertaining event that is perfect for families, providing fun for the young ones, while still giving out enough scares to keep adults entertained.
Our visit to Blake's would begin with the Haunted Hayride. The first half is focused on being more for laughs than for scares. From an opening narration from the driver telling the troubled history of the farm, to a mad scientist's lab, to the wagon annoying Old Man Blake, this first part focuses on being fun. Although there are some attempts as scares, such as the cranky Old Man Blake firing off a round from his shotgun upon his night being so rudely interrupted, this section is highlighted by the banter between actors and the narrator on the wagon. This section could have easily been mostly a bore if not for the entertainment provided by the host. Fortunately, Blake's has found a crew that kills it with their performances. The hayride is split into halves by the Witches' Station, which offers donuts and cider, a comforting treat before the scares ramp in the second half. Flash-bangs are used with great efficiency, clowns rush the waiting victims on the tractor, and asylum escapees beg for friends to join them. However, the finale is lackluster, with a couple dummies in a set piece with no actors. Potentially moving a chainsaw-wielder from another part of the trail to the end would give it a bit more of a memorable ending. Despite this, the hayride is a perfect introduction to haunted attractions for families. Even the biggest scares are not too intense, and this is a highly recommended first time event to gauge how kids will react to haunted events. For those wanting huge thrills however, this is not the event to head to. Instead, go in knowing this is more for entertainment than anything else.
7 / 10.
The 3-story Haunted Barn is similar in many ways to the hayride. The first half of the barn is a trip back in time to an old-fashioned haunted fun house. It feels like an old carnival dark ride, just without the vehicles. It is a fun time checking out various displays with minor scares like a suddenly appearing car, or various tortured victims screaming out in agony. The second portion of the barn is kicked off by a live execution, highlighted by an impressive illusion. The next few minutes sees guests winding up and down through the various floors of the barn, being attacked by monsters from various directions, including an impressive one from below a railing from a hanging ghoul. A walkout through a fenced section being prowled by a maniac equipped with a chainsaw will get the heart pumping. Sadly, that is not the finale, instead a vortex tunnel takes up that position. Again, it would be better to end with the big scare to leave a stronger impression. Like the hayride, this attraction is another good barometer for seeing how children will handle haunted attractions. The first half is easy going, and is more likely to illicit laughs than screams. The second half is a lot more intense, and provides better scares than the hayride. Still though, it is not up to the level of intensity of other houses, providing this to be another excellent starter option, or just a good place for a family to visit.
8 / 10
Blake's is a perfect gateway event for the whole crew to visit. If you decide to head to this event, remember that if you are expecting big screams or an evening that leaves you gasping for breath, then this is not the choice for you. However, if you just want some entertainment and laughs, mixed in with some good scares, then be sure to be drop into Blake's for an enjoyable night. The farm also has a zombie shooting hayride, as well as Spookyland, a sort of Halloween-themed playground, that can be purchased alongside the two major marquee events.
Overall
7.5 / 10
