Home haunters and Pro's!

[Mr. Haunt]

I have been doing some brainstorming and I have come up with an interesting idea. I know that it might sound a little far fetched, but I think that it could work out.

I have been thinking of a way to get any haunter rather it is a home haunter or a professional haunter involved with one of the biggest Halloween attraction events ever created. This event would take place in Minnesota. Why Minnesota? There is a large area of opportunity available for something to this large-scale event that I have located.

It would be a joint effort from everyone who wants to get involved including other Halloween based businesses. The main purpose of this idea is to give money to a good cause. I know that most of you give a donation to a charity or foundation, but I was thinking of a foundation that is larger then most people probably donate to. Something that is in very importance to people that would affect their way of living in a positive way.

Being that the industry is getting bigger and better, I think that this might be a good time to do something of this scale. This could potentially be something that is expanded over the country or world.

I know that it would be competition for some haunts, but being that this mega type attraction that is big and unique, it would be highly regarded for what it is we do.

This event would be marketed at a high level to draw people from all over. We would have a well-detailed web page, events taking place all hours of the day; events that pertain to all ages of Halloween thrill seekers. Instead of the generic hearse and spooks for parades, there would be a hearse with actors, but there would also be a very detailed float(s) that would help bring in more people. I believe the more you “show off” the business and what it is we do, the more people will say “WE GOTTA GO TO THAT”!

I understand that many professional haunters may not have the time to work on such a large event, but if there would be a small group from each haunt that is willing to help organize and operate this event, I believe that the opportunity would be worth it as it would be special to those who are passionate about Halloween and their creations. Each haunt or haunter would be recognized in some form or fashion for his or her participation rather it is full time or part time.

Now I know that you are wondering about funding, right? Well when it comes down to start any business it always comes down to this point. Well for starters, would it be for-profit or non-profit? That would be something that we discuss at a later time. Would there be private investors? It’s a possibility.

I wanted to see if anyone would be interested in something like this and am interested in any comments or ideas. As you can tell, I am ambitious and full of creative ideas.

Think about this for a little or at least think “outside the box” like me. This would be something totally different then your typical attraction. Very special and unique in it’s own way.

Ask questions if needed.

Brian

[Nightmaretony]

Sure. have you read up about small business and drawing up a business plan?

Cute creative ideas. We all have them. got notebooks of them. Useless until a solid business can be made for them. Cash flow and payback for investors and such things. Fancy hearse and website won't help if the basics aren't there.

[TheNightMare]

Are you taking like Disney and Six Flags type of event?

[Jim Warfield]

I really hate it when Mr. Tuxedo , Spookhouse cat here "Thinks Outside The Box."
Nothing usually happens without the idea first.
For some reason (I may be wrong?) I don't see people from far and wide spending the time and the money (and lost income) to attend any event far away from where they are located "in season".
Is the haunted business really "growing?'
Maybe some retired or semi-retired haunters might like to wheel their Winnebagos across the USA and do something potentually fun and interesting?
I might be retiring when the last shovel of dirt completely hides my final hiding place up on Cemetary Hill.

"Hey Kids! I have an idea! Let's have a talent show in the old gym! Everybody would come and we'd make enough money to buy old Mother Hubbard's dog a bone and save the day!"
"Spanky, you paint the backdrops with Spike's help and Captain Kangaroo will show us how to make a fortune selling Stone Soup!"
Close up of elderly frumpy old maid saying, "Well! I Never!"
Groucho adding, "We all know that you never and this world is a better place for it!"
Seriously though, maybe some people should begin to add up the man-hours needed just to plan and organise such an event.
A nice donation of office space and free phone service for a couple of months would be a good place to begin.
My personal "Dream" took several years of non-stop thinking and talking to a great many people, most of whom were not the least bit interested, but it only , in the end took two with the vision and the extra cash and my own sweat equity.
20 years later...I'm still sweaty.

[Nightmaretony]

And every time Mr. Tuxedo thinks outside the box, you have to go clean it up to refresh the supply of Mr. Tuxedo Surprise Moustaches!

[Greg Chrise]

Land of oppurtunity.

Until I saw a news report tonight about how the dollar has dropped and now people all of a sudden come to America to buy all the luxuries as opposed to the rich going to Venice to buy fine crafted leather shoes, or to Paris for the latest fashions. They did it because it wasn't better but, because it was half the cost of hand crafted goods here.

In country it is cheaper to air condition 9 months out of the year in the south and build a building for that purpose than it is to heat one up north for 4 months or so. Less expenses in less stress and less you actually have to do to get by if you are an underachiever. If you are in the frozen tundra you have to be a big time go getter just to make a mediocre survival.

The first thing I did was look at the current temperature in Minnesota=18 degrees where here in Texas it has been 68 in the day and at lowest 40 at night.

Down here a big industrious parade float would probably get shot at for being too happy.

So it's a stand off, I'm not buying a coat and chances are you won't get past Arkansas with your parade float.

[Jim Warfield]

Left to thoroughly dry in a sandy, dry environment, Mr. Tuxedo's "Products" get as hard as bullets (depleated uranium with a ceramic coating , not mere lead)
A parade float made of these would be very tough facing even an all-out attack of some magnitude. (Tieing up Mr. Tuxedo's Production quotas for many years butt it would be profitable being a government defense contractor I think)
We could double-profit by selling those waiting to ambush the float their special Tuxedo bullets, already the right shape, probably at least 50 caliber.
They would be a pure terror inflicting weapon as they were made to tumble after exiting the barrel making a screaming similar to a big cat in heat!
Possibly THE last sound some would ever hear.

[Mr. Haunt]

For those who have asked, this is the price information on all amenities that this location offers. It would be something to the nature like Disney or Six flags. There would probably not be any rides or anything of that nature unless the budget would allow for such a thing.

On the business plan question, no there has not been one started. I would rather know about who was interested and to hear some of their ideas before work on a business plan was started. I also don’t want to take this event head on by myself either. This is one reason why I would like to know who is interested in making this a possibility.

As for the weather, I have been a Minnesotan all of my life and it does not bother me one bit. If it bothers you, then too bad! Minnesota is a wonderful state. Yes it gets cool and sometimes chilly, but you cant be to picky when a location like this is available! Hey it has only snowed once in October and that was in 1991.

[Mr. Haunt]

We offer more than 320 acres of versatile space with 25 buildings available to rent.
Facility rental rates are based on basic rent for use of buildings
only. All additional services provided to an event, and costs
incurred by the fair as a result of an event, are charged to the
event. Listed below are the current rates for various expenses.
Arts Center: 18,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,050
Baldwin Park: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$550
With stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$800
Bandshell: seats 2,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$850
(benches not included in Baldwin Park or at the Bandshell)
Cattle Barn: 117,450 sq. ft., 1,044 tie rings
Livestock/Equine rate* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$575
Commercial rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,800
Campgrounds:
North Camp Lot – $500 minimum per day, or $15 per site, whichever is greater
Warner Coliseum:
Seats 5,250, 32,400 sq. ft. arena, 10,500 sq. ft. of concourse area
Livestock/Equine rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,400
Commercial rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,200
Education Building: 33,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,450
With annex - 12,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,850
With theater - 320 seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,650
Entire complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,050
Empire Commons: 22,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$925
Grandstand:
First floor - 60,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,700
Second floor - 39,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,000
First & second floors - 99,000 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4,700
Infield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,100
Home Improvement: 11,200 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$550
Horse Barn:
Livestock/Equine rate*
Entire barn (514 stalls, 105 tie stalls, 16 pony) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$425
South half (300 stalls) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300
Commercial rate – entire barn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000
Commercial rate – south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$875
Horse Barn Annex*: (84 tie stalls) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$185
Judging Arena*: 8,000 sq. ft., 168 tie stalls
Arena only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .no charge
Arena with tie stalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$250
Merchandise Mart: 11,200 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$750
Miracle of Birth Center
& FFA Chapter House: 18,320 sq. ft.
Miracle of Birth Center (15,120 sq. ft.)
FFA Chapter House (3,200 sq. ft.)
Livestock/Equine rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$725
Livestock/Equine with FFA Chapter House rate . . . . . . . . . . . . .$825
• Add to Coliseum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$625
Commercial Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$950
Commercial Rate with FFA Chapter House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1075
• Add to Coliseum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$825
Modern Living: 9,840 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$550
Parking Lots:
Blocks 6 & 7 (North Lots) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525
Blocks 8 & 9 (North Lots) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525
Block 22 (North of Grandstand) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525
Block 27 (West of Grandstand) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,575
The fairgrounds are a great place to host:
◆ Corporate parties and meetings ◆ Sporting events
◆ Sales and trade shows ◆ Large group and community functions
◆ Automobile, motorcycle and motorcoach assemblies ◆ Equestrian and livestock events

[Mr. Haunt]

2007 Event Rate Sheet
Facilities · Equipment · Labor · Rates
Block 40 (Midway parking lot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,300
Block 55 (South of Como Ave.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,800
Block 56 (South of Como Ave.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,050
Livestock Parking Lots:
Lot “A” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150
South Side of Block 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100
North Side of Block 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150
Progress Center: 26,600 sq. ft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,300
Sheep and Poultry Barn: 53,900 sq. ft., 230 stalls
Livestock/Equine rate entire building* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$350
Livestock/Equine rate half of building* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$275
Commercial rate entire building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000
Commercial rate half of building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$750
Swine Barn: 81,000 sq. ft. 230 stalls
Livestock/Equine rate* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$350
Commercial rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000
Warm Up Arena: (south of Coliseum)
Livestock/Equine rate* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .no charge
Commercial rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$550
4-H Building:
First floor (30,000 sq. ft.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,250
Second and third floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$775
Second or third floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525
First, second & third floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,750
Dorms (depreciation per person) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1
Ground Lease: with third party facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $125
Outside Restrooms: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125
Rates include a 16% assessment for capital improvements.
*Rental rate based on renting facility in conjunction with Coliseum
and for stalling purposes only.
Equipment:
Tables (8' x 30" Banquet Tables)
• 1-3 event days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5/each
• 4 or more event days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7.50/each
Folding Chairs
• 1-3 event days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$.50/each
• 4 or more event days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$.75/each
Clear Coms (Coliseum only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15/unit
Benches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5/each
Bleachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$35/each
Picnic tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10/each
Wooden barricades . . . . . . . . 10 complimentary/$1 each additional
Personnel barricades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.50/each
Dumptruck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$55/hour
Forklift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$55/hour
Skid steer loader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$55/hour
Snow plow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80/hour
Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80/hour
Trash truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25/hour
Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15/hour
Water truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$40/hour
Ticket booths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75/day
Post pounder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125/day
Vehicles based on a one-hour minimum. Rates do not include
operators labor. Labor and forklift charges shall apply when
renting tables, chairs, riser sections, ticket booths, etc. All rental
equipment is subject to applicable sales tax.
Labor Rates:
Event Supervisor – On-Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$27/labor hour
Setup & Tear down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$19.50/labor hour
Event attendant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17/labor hour
Ticket Seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13/labor hour
Ticket Taker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11/labor hour
Police Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29/labor hour
Parkers/Barricade Attendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13/labor hour
Reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20/labor hour
Skilled Labor:
Electrician . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80/labor hour
Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80/labor hour
Plumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80/labor hour
Painter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80/labor hour
The hourly rates quoted above for skilled labor (electricians,
carpenters, plumbers, and painters) are based on a Monday
through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., schedule. Other times
shall be charged at prevailing overtime rates.
Rubbish:
Regular rubbish removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10/yard
30-yard rolloff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$250-$375
Pallets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5 each
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7 each
Manure:
Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3.50 - $7/yard
Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$85 - $300/30-yard transport
All Rubbish and manure charges are based on market rate and are
subject to change without advance notice.
Electric:
Electric consumption charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $.07/kwh
Basic charge (cost based on transformer being used)
Electric charges are based on market rate and are subject to change
without advance notice.
Parking: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Free
Phone lines:
Phone lines are available at a cost of $200 for the first line and $160
for each additional line. Long-distance charges shall apply and will be
billed accordingly. Activated, non-commercial phones lines in the
livestock complex are charged at $50 per phone line.
Sound, Lighting and Staging:
Allied Audio Services is the State Fair’s in-house provider of sound,
light and stage equipment.

[Mr. Haunt]

Some of these buildings have a fire suppressions system (sprinklers, alarm, & emergency lighting).

The largest of the buildings (The Grandstand) has all fire systems. This building has two floors. There is a large ramp and elevator to the second floor.

Any other questions?

Brian

[Nightmaretony]

Sure. That covers ONE aspect, the space rental.

next question: the haunt assets. Budget towards those?

Then the business aspects of permits, insurance, payrolls, staffing. How is the budget for those?

TARGET MARKET: What is the proximity to major cities, what kind of attendance can be had, what kind of advertising opportunities?





No, am nmot being mean. Am simply asking the hard questions that have to be answered for you to make it work.


I'm doing the homework for mine as well. We all do.

[Mr. Haunt]

I know that the rent costs are a bit high, and would make things interesting when it comes down to a budget.

Maybe this event will get larger over a period of time, who knows? I would not dream of charging a high price either.

Brian

[Mr. Haunt]

Maybe this is not something for those who live a few states to far to get involved in?

I know that trucking a currently operated haunt to this location would not be an easy task, but I have some family in this kind of business that might be able to help out. They do some things for worthy causes were they live. The basically higher truckers to hall something when someone has something to hall. What a mouth full! LOL!

Instead of someone selling a whole haunt, maybe it can be donated to our event or purchased. I would believe that this might be cheaper then starting from scratch.

Just tossing some ideas out there!

Brian

[Mr. Haunt]

As for the market, this location is located right smack dab in the middle of Minnesota’s two largest cities “The Twin Cities”. It in fact it sits on the boarders of three cities.

Another large haunt hear called Valley Scare, I believe uses a lot of volunteers for their event. They have a system that attracts “groups to volunteer”. These groups get paid “donation” depending on the size of their group. This event takes place about an hours or so more drive from the Twin Cities and is a pain in the neck to get to because of traffic issues.


Brian