A big bowl of spook can be found in Auburn. "The House of Terror Haunted House at the SuperMall" runs now through Halloween. This is a house where no expense was spared to clear the bladders and the bowels of those who attend. The price for The House of Terror is $10.



Over the bridge in Gig Harbor is another house of note. The haunted house at Paradise Theater takes over the theater\'s school wing with more than a dozen devilish scenes that draw about 1,000 people each year.



The cadre of volunteers includes actors from the theatre, season ticket holders who want to do something, children from Paradise\'s programs, and people from the community who like haunted houses.



And it all started with a birthday.



"Jeff and I used to decorate part of our house as a haunted house when our son was younger," Paradise Theater founder Vicki Richards says. "His birthday is October 30th, so he would always end up with a Halloween-themed party. We would, of course, make it age appropriate for the kids. We all love the thrill of a good roller coaster and the unknown ... that great adrenaline rush. A haunted house is exciting for that same reason. We can allow ourselves to be surprised, scared, grossed out, etc. in a safe environment where nothing will really happen to us."



The trick to a great haunted house is not the scare as much as it is the roller coaster of emotions that spans from laughter and friendship to fear and fright. That mix amplifies each emotion as they shift and peak.



"That is what can catch you off guard," she said. "Our approach is somewhat theatrical being that we are a theatre. We don\'t go for the high-end gore factor. However, it is a haunted house."



"Theatre of Lost Souls” runs Oct. 26 until Halloween at 9911 Burnham Dr NW, Gig Harbor. Tickets are $8 or $5 for children.



For something a bit different, visitors are heading to the Haunted Hayride at

Wildwood Park in Puyallup. This otherwise calm hay wagon ride includes a trip through the horror films and movie hits of all time. Rides run this weekend only. Tickets are $9 for adults or $6 for children.



Thurston County\'s landmark haunted house is "The Haunted Fairgrounds" at the Thurston County Fairgrounds at 3054 Carpenter Road in Olympia. The house is open Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween. Tickets are $10 for one house or $15 for both.



Wild Waves is hosting FrightFest each weekend through Oct. 28. The facility has entertainment, haunted houses and more than 30 thrill rides and attractions. Tickets are $21.99.





[Haunted Hayride, Oct. 18-20, $6-$9, Wildwood Park, 1101 23rd Ave. S.E., Puyallup, 253.841.5457]



[The Haunted Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Oct. 19, 20 and 25 to 31, $10 for one haunted house; $15 for both, Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Road, Olympia, www.myspace.com/thehauntedfairgrounds]



[Paradise Theater Haunted House, Friday-Saturday 6:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 28 5-8 p.m., Oct. 29 6-8 p.m., Oct 31 6:30-9:30 p.m., $5-$8, 9911 Burnham Dr. N.W., Gig Harbor, 253.851.PLAY]



[FrightFest, weekends through Oct. 28th  at 5 p.m., $21.99, Enchanted Village, 36201 South Enchanted Pky., Federal Way, wildwaves.com]



[The House of Terror Haunted House, through Oct. 31, Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11 p.m. until Oct. 28; then nightly 7-11 p.m. until Halloween, $8-$10, SuperMall, 1101 SuperMall Way, 206.494.2005]