History of Realms of Darkness
As teen members, Jay Wallace, Jim Miller and James Winters
all hosted 4-H haunted houses or Halloween fun houses with support from
Tuolumne County 4-H Council and clubs. Venues varied from old houses to
empty stores to an empty one-room school. In 1999, Shaun Sanders proposed
the Realms of Darkness Haunted House as a fundraiser for Hi 4-H to support
their teen activities and service projects. With space provided by the
Junction Shopping Center, the legend of the Realms of Darkness was born.
The House has gained momentum every year since, providing entertainment
for teens and adults on chilly October nights. It has always been wheelchair
friendly, inspected by the Fire Marshall and includes safety features.
The Matinee began as a way to introduce younger children to the special
effects in a less-scary atmosphere. Many families venture into the House
during the Matinee and find it so intriguing that they return at night
for the full show.
In 2007, The House moved to the red barn behind JS West Lumber in downtown
Sonora. Offered the opportunity for expansion, the House masterminds jumped
at the chance to create new rooms for ghouls and creepy crawly things.
Creative geniuses all, the Hi 4-H volunteer leaders who direct building
and operations are assisted by a cadre of lost souls who venture forth
on cold dark nights to shriek, moan and rattle chains. In truth, their
daytime jobs are nothing like their nighttime endeavors. Without costume
and makeup they are the backbone of our community. The teen members of
Hi 4-H and some younger siblings make up the workforce, learning building
skills as they design, construct and paint the theme rooms. Then they
learn theatrical makeup, acting and lighting to add reality to the rooms.
HOUSE DIRECTORS
* Jay Wallace (Igor) Lead Foreman, constructive engineer and logistics
genius on every level. Jay is a monster when it comes to building and
setting up walls that even a football team couldn't knock down! A strong
foundation is everything in an operation like this.
* Rick Nelson (Beetlesauce) is the props manager, special effects expert
and master mind behind what became known as (sick, twisted and beyond).
HONORED CREW
* Jay - Igor
* Rick - Beetlesauce
* Pat - Master of webs and witchery
* Harold - Grave digger, wicked story teller
* Sue - Morticia, Hostess of the Dead
* Anita P. - Psycho Sally
* Linda M. - Wynda, Financial Wizard
* John H. - Dr. Dead, Jack of all trades
* Linda H. - Wrangler
* Steve - The Face
* John L - Puppet Master
* Terry - Lurch
* Eric S. - Website Designer
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Links & 4-H Info:
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