For the past 15 years, Heather and Roy Martin have been creating incredible displays to celebrate Halloween in Marblehead. I had heard stories of High Street as the destination for trick or treating in town but had not yet ventured there with my wife and young kids. In advance of this Halloween, I posted a question of the All Marblehead Happenings Facebook page and received some great advice about the street and this house.
We arrived a little before 6pm and I stood in line while my wife took the kids around houses to collect candy. From the street, one could only see the twisted take on Rapunzel on the balcony letting her hair down and the sign reading ‘Once Upon a Time’. Shortly after 6pm, the line started to move as groups of 4 were let into the house. I understand that the theme changes year to year so I don’t think I’ll give much away with some brief descriptions.
I entered with 3 others making up our little group and was quickly appointed the leader to bear the brunt of any surprises. We made it through an anteroom and then met Granny who led us into a dark room and a maze-like path. At one point a character stopped us before a mirror where the image of a girl in makeup to make her appear undead could be seen. We passed on through an amazing dining room scene with more characters and then into the kitchen where I presume Heather and Roy played the parts of the Witch (and her helpful chef husband) in Hansel and Gretel. From there we descended to the backyard where I received my biggest scare of the night from a very young child crawling towards me and intent on grabbing my ankles. I may have run out onto the street at that point…
I left the house in awe of the amount of planning that must go into this annual event. There were more than a dozen people inside with very well done makeup and costumes. The set design in each room was perfect. Best of all, there were no ‘cheap’ gags such as people jumping out and yelling or grabbing. Rather, the entire house was built upon the much more interesting ‘slow scare’ whereby each room built upon the last.
I wish that I could have gone through on a dress rehearsal to shoot some of the intricate rooms but maybe it’s best that they existed for only a few hours or just Once Upon a Time in Marblehead. If Heather and Roy continue with this tradition, I would strongly encourage you to brave the line (and your fears) and walk through the haunted house on High Street (technically Pearl where it intersects with High).