Tonight will be the last chance to see Greeks in the guise of goblins and ghosts raising money for charity at the annual Delta Chi Haunted House.
The $5 admission for adults and $3 admission for children will be donated to the Mississippi Sheriff’s Boys and Girls Ranches. Last year, the Delta Chi Fraternity donated $3,000 to the charity.
Delta Chi President Reid Stone said the fraternity, along with the Delta Delta Delta sorority, hopes to raise over twice as much as last year.
“We’ve been preparing for the last two months and building for the last two weeks,” Stone said.
Alumni Adviser Jon Rousseau said, “This year will be the best (haunted house) ever,” said Jon Rousseau, alumni adviser.
“We’re really glad they asked our sorority to participate in the Haunted House,” Tri-Delta Betsy Whitmire said. “It’s always a lot of fun, and it is an honor to get to help with such a great cause.”
According to Stone, the haunted house experience is different every year. The show even changes up a little every night.
“Guests of the ‘Haunted Mansion’ can look forward to a guided tour where they may encounter ghosts, graveyards, and dark trails through the forest,” Stone said. “Oh, and did I mention chainsaws?”
The legend of the Delta Chi house is that it was built upon an ancient burial ground in the mid-1800s.
Bill Gray, Haunted House coordinator, explained the story: “While building the house, the doctor imposed unfavorable working conditions on his workers. Supposedly, some of them quit, while others were fired; It is rumored that they were actually all murdered.”
Despite the creepy legend of the house, Stone said the show targets all ages.
“We’re going to keep it light earlier in the night,” Stone explained.
Rousseau added that it is a family event: “In the past the whole town of Starkville has really gotten into it. It truly has been a family affair with people of all ages from all over Oktibbeha county coming to see the house.”
The tour of this haunted house is offered three days a year-Oct. 29, 30 and Halloween. The festivities will last from 7 p.m. until midnight.
As Stone put it: “The scaring starts when the sun goes down.”