Get ready to dive into the chills and thrills of spooky season with the return of PFDD’s Haunted Maze and Spirits Garden! Mark your calendars for October 26, 2024, because this will be the final year of the event. After five years of haunting Occoquan, VA, this unique experience is going all out for its last hurrah—making it an unmissable part of your Halloween festivities.
The Haunted Maze & Spirits Garden
For half a decade, PFDD’s Haunted Maze has been the perfect blend of spooky fun and community spirit. This year, the maze is back for its final appearance, featuring fifteen themed areas and a whopping thirty-two scare zones to give you the chills. Perfect for adults and older kids (PG-13 rated scares), it promises to deliver thrills that will have you on edge at every turn.
Once you’ve braved the maze, unwind in the Spirits Garden—a relaxed outdoor area with a bar, live DJ, and plenty of seating. Need some liquid courage? The bar offers beer, wine, mixed drinks, and warm beverages to keep the spooky vibes flowing. Hungry? D’Rocco’s restaurant, a proud supporter of the event, will be serving tasty bar bites to keep your energy up.
Why It Matters
Not only is this event a fun-filled way to celebrate the season, but it’s also for a great cause. All proceeds from the Haunted Maze and Spirits Garden go directly to Patriots for Disabled Divers (PFDD), a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping injured veterans experience the healing benefits of scuba diving. Over the past ten years, PFDD has supported more than 1,000 veterans across the nation, bringing both physical and psychological relief through their adaptive diving programs.
This year, PFDD aims to raise $20,000 from the Haunted Maze to continue its impactful work. By purchasing a ticket or grabbing a drink, you’ll be supporting our nation’s heroes while having a spook-tacular time.
Honoring Bill’s Legacy
The Haunted Maze has always been special, but this year carries a deeper significance. Bill Pressly, the maze’s designer, sadly passed away in July after a long battle with cancer. Bill, the older brother of PFDD founder Merial Currer, was a tireless advocate for PFDD and had a deep love for Halloween. His passion for both PFDD and the event will be honored through a special tribute at the maze, where visitors can leave notes and memories on a poster of Bill in his iconic Halloween makeup.
In Merial’s words, “Bill loved this event, and he was loved by all the volunteers. We’re going to blow this year out of the water in his honor.”
How to Get Involved
Whether you’re in it for the scares or the spirit of giving, don’t miss out on the 5th and final Haunted Maze. Tickets are on sale now for $10 per adult and $5 for kids aged 12 and under. You can purchase them online or at the door on the day of the event. The Haunted Maze and Spirits Garden will run from 5 pm to 10 pm on October 26, 2024. Parking in town is limited, but no worries—a free shuttle will be running from the 123 Commuter Lot to the maze from 4 pm to 11 pm, and it’s open to everyone, ticket or not.
Start your spooky season with a scare that supports a cause. See you at the maze!