After building their own haunted barn attraction last year, the Dingbaum family has brought it back with even more attractions this year. The barn is located at Hartwood Estate, 1026 Main St. E., offering something for all ages. 

Shannon Dingbaum said the barn was such a hit last year, they had to bring it back for the community to enjoy.

“We love doing this for the community and hope they come out and support it,” Dingbaum said. 

In addition to the haunted barn and the no-scare walkthrough for younger children, the Dingbaums have added hay rides on the weekend and a haunted trail that nearly doubles the original attraction size. They also have a small petting zoo area with bunnies, donkeys and a goat as well as pumpkin, mum and hay bale sales.

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In addition to providing the community with some seasonal fun, Dingbaum said she also hopes to use some of the profits to support the Hartselle Cross Country and Track and Field team. Many of the athletes from these teams have helped with planning the haunted area this year. 

“When people come they can have a good time. They will leave scared but laughing,” Dingbaum said. “We let the kids get creative this year. Most of the ideas were the cross-country kids’ ideas. There is perhaps the ‘It’ element to it this year. 

“There is not a lot of family venues right in Hartselle, and we wanted to do that,” she added. “We wanted something you could bring grandma and grandpa to but also your kids and teenagers.”

The haunted barn and trail are open every weekend through Halloween, and tickets are $10 per person. Hours are 7:30-10 p.m. Fridays, 7:30-11 p.m. Saturdays and 7:30-9 p.m. Sundays. The attractions will also open Halloween night at 7:30 p.m. and will remain open until everyone has been through. 

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The no-scare event for younger children is open every day through Halloween from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and those tickets are $5 per person. 

Hayrides will take place every Saturday and Sunday for $5 per person. 

“It was a huge hit (last year), and we have had several people reach out to ask if we could do it again,” Dingbaum said. “We are remodeling our house, and we didn’t think we could do it, but we couldn’t let it just stop. 

“We thought the trail was a nice addition this year. Every year we hope that we can bring it back bigger than the year before.”