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Shriek To Shriek

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By SARAH HOYE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

TAMPA - TAMPA - Busch Gardens is back with its eighth season of scaring folks at Howl-O-Scream.

Three new haunted houses have been added to regular crowd favorites to make the 16-day spook-tacular even scarier.

"We have more new elements this year then ever before," says Jill Revelle, spokeswoman for Busch Gardens. "Different things scare different people, and we've definitely got something for everyone."

The new haunted houses are:

Catch Your Breath: The Messengers bike gang is out of hiding and looking for 13 unlucky victims.

Taste of Blood: Vampires living underground are leaving the sewers in search of fresh blood.

Radiation Alert 3-D: Radioactive waste is leaking into the water supply, and evacuation is under way — and you'll need goggles.

The park has more than 1,000 staff members — many looking gnarly, others behind the scenes — dedicated to kicking up the fright factor.

"When I'm working with the people, I get to see their reactions; I get to take off their first layer," says seven-year cast member Dianna Bennett, who plays the creepy greeter at the Catch Your Breath haunted house. "There is nothing more exciting than watching the macho ones get scared. It's a total power trip."

Even the pathways from one haunted house to another will be dripping with torture, with two new scare zones that put participants in the middle of the macabre.

Visitors also can get their thrill on riding the park's roller coasters, attending new live shows that lean toward the freaky or fueling up at Fright Feast, a deranged dinner show.

With all the changes, organizers say those who dare to brave it will get a good scare — just make sure you leave the young children at home. Parental discretion is advised at Howl-O-Scream.

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.

Go ahead. Scream.

Use your outdoor voice. It will make for better video.

The Tampa Tribune's Sarah Hoye tried out Busch Gardens' new "Scream Cam," and walked — no, make that raced — through one of the new haunted houses among the theme park's Howl-O-Scream offerings.

Keyword: Halloween, to experience Hoye's fright as she gives you a video tour.

EVENT PREVIEW

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream

WHAT: Haunted theme park featuring new haunted houses, scream zones and live shows.

WHEN: Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-21 and 25-28; 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays through Saturdays

WHERE: 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa

HOW MUCH: $59.95 (discounts available); 1-888-800-5447

INFORMATION: deathjockey.com or buschgardens.com

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