<p>Vaeil is played by Aiden Downs</p> <p>Lauren Monica |Herald Advocate</p>

Vaeil is played by Aiden Downs

Lauren Monica |Herald Advocate
<p>Jacob Seals</p>

Jacob Seals
<p>Exiting the sheds, guests are confronted by a swinging bridge looking like it could offer escape, but after only a few hesitant steps, Triangle Head and Vaeil leap out to panic and alarm.</p>

Exiting the sheds, guests are confronted by a swinging bridge looking like it could offer escape, but after only a few hesitant steps, Triangle Head and Vaeil leap out to panic and alarm.
<p>Once in the sheds, Harley’s maniacal laugh followed attendees pass power tools, surgical apparatus, and hanging cadavers.</p>

Once in the sheds, Harley’s maniacal laugh followed attendees pass power tools, surgical apparatus, and hanging cadavers.
<p>Steven Downs played DEAMON</p>

Steven Downs played DEAMON
<p>Kerri Seals played Dolly</p>

Kerri Seals played Dolly

MCCOLL — Steven and Julie Downs, along with their son Aiden, spent the end of summer swinging hammers and hanging fake body parts and the like from the halls of their sprawling, makeshift “Down’s Manor” haunted house built around the yardage of their new home located at 401 East Tatum Avenue. The Down’s passion for the spooky, unexplained, and all other things that go bump in the night spurred their interest in crafting a one-of-a-kind experience in terror the residents of McColl might not soon forget.

Throughout the Halloween season, Down’s Manor horrified families by the throngs and introduced guests to a cast of creepy new characters: Kerri Seals played Dolly, Jacob Seals played Triangle Head, Aiden Downs played Vaeil, Julie Downs played Harley, and Steven Downs played DEAMON.

Guests of the Manor entered through what is the Down’s front porch by light of day and then wound their way down darkened halls haunted by Dolly until finding the outdoor tool sheds.

Feeling the nighttime chill like a breath on the nape of their neck, disillusioned guests may think the sheds offer safety but discover DEAMON waiting for another chance to snatch their soul as he lurks outside, laughing in the fog. Continuing, Harley’s maniacal laugh tracks attendee footsteps pass power tools, surgical apparatus, and hanging cadavers. Exiting the sheds, guests are confronted by a swinging bridge looking like it could offer escape, but after only a few hesitant steps, Triangle Head and Vaeil leap out to panic and alarm.

Down’s Manor ran October 4 through October 25 and the Down’s charged only $5 for the pleasure of a tour. The family says next year’s Halloween 2026 may be even more frightening.

“When you walk in the Manor you know we have the old grandfather clock. Well, next year, we are opening the clock and guests will travel through it, travel though time, to the Headless Horseman followed by a visit to the Salem Witch Trials,” teased Steven.