Haunted Halloween in Oceanside

For yet another frightful year, Rick and Susan Cinetti transformed their backyard from a normal suburban lawn to a haunted Halloween fright-fest.

Held over three nights in October (the 16th, 23rd and one upcoming on the 31st), the Cinettis allowed their neighbors, and anyone else brave enough to come by, entrance into the haunted fun for only $1. Those who come by are subjected to a terrifying corn maze, including people in masks jumping out of hidden holes. Those who made it through (or were forced through by someone in costume chasing them) were rewarded with candy.

The walk had been free in previous years, but donations were accepted. This year, the Cinettis decided to charge $1 per scare, with the proceeds going to the Oceanside School 5 PTA. So far, according to Susan Cinetti, they have raised about $400.

"I'd say on the first night we had about 250 on a rainy night," Susan said of the turnout. "This past Friday, even though it rained, we had over 300."

The Cinettis get volunteers from around the community to help them put the scare into their backyard. Rick Cinetti builds everything himself, with help from friends and family, and has about 18 people at the house on the fright nights to help.

"To put on a good night we get about about 18 people," Susan said. "We have a couple of teenagers from the high school and then we have one from the junior high, and the rest are our family."

The last night of the Cinetti's Haunted Halloween Walk will be Oct. 31— Halloween itself. Their backyard will be open from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.