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Field of Screams intended to scare

The last ride to the Field of Screams features a hearse with a spooky chauffeur. The farm is located off U.S. 50 on Osborne Road in Torch. (Photo Provided)

The Harvester is looking for something to do at the Field of Screams in Torch, Ohio. (Photo Provided)

TORCH — Something wicked this way comes to the Field of Screams.

The Murphy family has transformed its farm into a macabre meadow of monstrous manifestations.

“It’s not for the faint of heart,” said John Murphy.

The Field of Screams is located about three miles west of the Little Hocking Elementary School on Osborne Road off U.S. 50. It’s only 10 minutes from Parkersburg, but the site is registered with Google Maps just in case, Murphy said.

While this is the first year for the Field of Screams, Murphy has been involved with scaring people for years at the West Virginia Masonic Home where he organized events for Halloween open to the residents, employees and family.

“Scaring people is nothing to me,” said Murphy, whose vocation is school bus driver for 25 years.

But the Field of Screams is at a higher level on the fright meter, according to Murphy. Up to 30 actors portray the fiends, werewolves, zombies, vampires and monsters who are more than happy to scare the dickens out of someone, he said.

Murphy also plays a role.

“I’ll see you, but you won’t see me,” he said.

Murphy warns parents not to take their children who are under 12-years old to the Field of Screams. They sometimes start crying and that’s generally not good for business, he said.

Those who throw caution to the wind will first board a troop carrier for a haunted ride, he said. Young folks like the truck, Murphy said.

“Kids love that thing,” he said.

Then there’s a walk through the dark woods on a road built in the 1800s which leads to a hayride with a tractor for the journey through the corn maze. A cemetery and a real hearse driven by a skeleton chauffeur are there, too.

“There’s all kinds of wicked things,” Murphy said. “Cannibals, zombies, werewolves.”

Among the monsters are Michael Myers, Jeepers Creepers and the Harvester.

“He’s mad because you’re in his cornfield and he doesn’t want you in it,” Murphy said.

Admission is less than $10 per person. Hours for the Field of Screams are 7:30-11:30 Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, which is family fun day.

“That’s immensely popular,” he said.

The last days are Oct. 28, 29 and 30.

The farm has been in the Murphy family since the 1950s. He and his brothers and sisters were raised there.

He has been working since this summer on the Field of Screams. The farm also sells produce at the River City Farmer’s Market in Marietta.

As for the Field of Screams, he came up with the name.

“Something from my wicked mind,” he said.

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