CASTROVILLE, California (Sept. 20, 2023) — Just when you thought it was safe to go to the movies, a head-spinning horror show comes along to set your scream-level to EXTREME at the Artichoke Festival’s all-new Museum of Horrors at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, Fridays and Saturdays in October!

From slasher flicks to psychological mind-benders and monsters in the dark, you’re going to love visiting this hall of classic movie thrillers. The Museum of Horrors can’t wait to kill your free time and snuff out those doldrums, so get your tickets now and join other horror movie fans at this grand gallery of gore — ’cuz all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Produced by the Artichoke Festival in conjunction with the creative minds behind Escape Room 831 of Monterey, scary movie fan(atics) will find this mezzanine of mania and lunacy alongside the Cardinale and Wright Pumpkin Patch at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Road in Monterey; enter at Gate 7.

Movie aficionados ages 12 and up can enjoy revisiting the hair-raising, skin-crawling thrills of their worst movie theater memories! Kids under 12 are allowed to enter the haunted house at the discretion of a parent or guardian, (a signed waiver is mandatory).

Tickets will be sold online and at the gate. Find more scary diversions among the pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch with unique, family-friendly Halloween games, and a kiddie maze designed just for the little monsters in the family.

For tickets go to: https://app.gopassage.com/events/museum-of-horrors. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for active duty military/seniors 62-and-older (military must show government ID)

Hours on Fridays and Saturdays in October: Museum of Horrors Tours – 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.; Additional activities open at 5:00 p.m.; All ticket sales end at 9:30 p.m.

All guests will be required to follow Monterey County guidance for current safety protocols. Thank you for doing your part to keep your fellow horror fans safe! See the FAQ section at (link to FAQ) for more about our safety protocols.

Artichoke Festival’s Museum of Horror is recommended for adults and children 12+ years; children under 12 years are welcome at parent’s discretion. Parents of children under 12 years old will be required to sign a waiver. The Pumpkin Patch, Halloween Games, and Kiddie Maze welcome all-ages. Hosted by Cardinale & Wright Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Trees, the Pumpkin Patch is a one-stop shop for all types of pumpkins, gourds, and other harvest-time décor and arts and crafts.

There are still spaces left for a few creative and creepy Halloween or harvest-themed arts & crafts vendors at the Pumpkin Patch, which will be open from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. every night of the Haunt. Download a copy of the Vendor Application at: AF-HauntedHouse_Vendor_Registration_2023.pdf.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available at 2023-AF-sponsorship-onesheet.pdf. Click on the link for a downloadable PDF with more info on how you to promote your business and enjoy the benefits of brand exposure to potential customers.

The mission of the “Museum of Horrors” is to raise money for the nonprofits and beneficiaries who’ve come to rely on the annual Artichoke Festival for support. A sponsorship donation plays a big part in the support of this cause. All contributions are tax-deductible.

For more information on sponsorships, contact Kathy directly at (888) 808-7707 ext. 1, or email her at (email address).

Sponsors on board so far include: Bianche, Kasavan & Pope LLP, Cardinale Moving and Storage; Cardinale & Wright Christmas Trees & Pumpkin Patch; Mag One Media and Pacific Continental Truss.

About the Artichoke Festival

California’s artichoke history began in 1922 when the first artichoke shoots were planted in Castroville. Today, more than nine decades later, nearly 100 percent of America’s fresh artichoke supply is grown in California and nearly two-thirds is grown in the small town of Castroville.

The first Artichoke Festival was held in 1959 under the sponsorship of the Marinovich Marching Units, with the assistance of the Castroville Rod and Gun Club. In 1961 it was a joint venture of the Marinovich Marching Units and the Castroville Chamber of Commerce to produce a larger festival, and Sally DeSante was chosen as the first Artichoke Queen. In 1963, 1964, and 1965 it was solely sponsored by the Castroville Chamber of Commerce under the direction of the Artichoke Festival Board with Bill Price, one of the originators of the festival idea.

For many years now the Artichoke Festival has been an independent 501C3 nonprofit organization know as the Castroville Artichoke Festival, Inc. run by the board of directors.

For more information, go to artichokefestival.org.