Old Tucson Studios Presents "Nightfall"

It's that time of the year again, when stage actors turn in their pistols for faux bloody limbs and broomsticks. When crowds of families, youngsters, and bored teenagers fill the darks streets of one of Tucson's largest Halloween oriented events, Old Tombstone Studio's "Nightfall."



Forget the haunted house concept, "Nightfall" is a full blown haunted town, with shows, rides, food and entertainment of all kinds. Starting the first week of October and running through the Halloween night, the event is open from six to ten weekdays and six to twelve weekends.

The premise for the event, according to the website,
is that the town has been taken over by the evil creations of a mad scientist (the pitifully named Dr. Hyde). Yet what the event lacks in creative storyline, it makes up for in a creative and unique presentation.

From the skeleton mariachi who play atop of the hotel to the miniature "ghost train" that runs throughout the premise, the event manages to capture the excitement of live Tombstone shows, but with a decidedly macabre Halloween twist.

Granted the main downfall of the event has always been the rather tame nature of it's events compared to more intense (and bloody) haunted houses, but this is after all a family oriented event.

While some of the people I went with seemed rather unimpressed with the special effects... the same people screamed their guts out in the haunted house when brushed with spider webs. It's the simple stuff that gets you...

Each event, show, or ride is labeled with a rating of one to three skulls so parents can keep little ones out of the more intense areas. New shows this year include the "darkness rising stunt spectacular" and "gross anatomy"(comedy, stunt, and pyrotechnic shows) as well as as haunted houses like "cannibal house" and "caverns of despair."

By far, highlight of the event was the trash talking "Transylvania Twins" show. Two gargoyles perched high above the audience, who fling insults at each other and the few unlucky spectators who happen to catch their attention.

The bottom line... don't go expecting death and mutilation on the scale of one of the "Saw" movies. Instead, keep and open mind and enjoy the fun, friendly atmosphere the event has to offer.

Admission prices for adults (ages 12 and over) is $21.95 and $18.95 for children.