Hobby Turns Into Seasonal Obsession For One Palm Harbor Family: Haunt For HEP

PALM HARBOR, FL — Eleven months out of the year, the Long family home at 3425 Brian Road S., is much like the surrounding homes in the Palm Harbor neighborhood.

That all changes when October rolls around. First the home is transformed into a workshop where 19-year-old Andrew Long puts his creepiest creativity to the test, building, faux painting and wiring a host of scary props for movement, lights and sound.

Then, he and his father, Michael, set up his macabre monstrosities to create what may arguably be the most realistic scare house outside Busch Gardens' professionally designed Howl-O-Scream.

In what's become a Palm Harbor Halloween tradition, the Longs are preparing to scare up some community fun Friday, Oct. 29, Saturday, Oct. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 31 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. during the annual Haunt for HEP.

And this year, they won't be alone.

The Longs are joining forces with two other Pinellas County scary venues — House on the Hill Haunted Trail in Tarpon Springs and Scarehouse Pinellas in Largo — sharing hair-raising ideas and publicity focused on raising awareness for the two nonprofit groups that benefit from the haunted houses — the Homeless Empower Program and the SPCA Tampa Bay animal rescue shelter.

"We have all these great haunted houses in Pinellas County that raise money for good causes, so we decided to form a coalition of like-minded people and share tricks and ideas and promote one another," Michael Long said.

"We are excited to reopen after taking a year off due to COVID-19, and all three haunts will be bigger and spookier than in past years," Long said. "What’s cool about it is not only can we do cross publicity but, between the three venues, we've got Pinellas County covered for Halloween."

In the three years since it was launched, Haunt for HEP has raised more than $10,000 for the nonprofit charity that the Long children became acquainted with while volunteering in the shelter's cafeteria. Since 1986, HEP has provided homeless and low-income people, including veterans and families, with housing, food, clothing and support services necessary to obtain self-sufficiency and stability.

"With the addition of the House on the Hill and Scarehouse Pinellas, we hope to raise even more," Long said.

To think it all began with a curious kid who had a penchant for everything creepy.

Andrew Long was 13 years old when he watched his neighbors across the street decorate their home using cheesy props purchased at the Dollar Tree.

He decided he could do better, and began experimenting with designing and building his own Halloween props using scrap lumber, fabric and any other throwaways he could find.

His curiosity of creating creepy props was further piqued when he toured and met the man behind the Mansion of the Macabre, Palm Harbor orthodontist Dr. Paul Duryea. For 23 years, Duryea was the evil genius behind the haunted venue on County Road 1 featured on "Good Morning America" that raised funds for the Florida Suncoast Hospice.

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Although he no longer hosts the Mansion of the Macabre, Duryea passed down his knowledge of creating animatronic and pneumatic props to Andrew Long and serves as a consultant for the Haunt for HEP.

Now a sophomore at the University of Florida majoring in architecture, the East Lake High School graduate parlayed his affinity for building and engineering into creating scenery and special effects for his high school's theater program.

"He's a talented kid," conceded his dad. "The portfolio he created of the work he did on the Haunt for HEP and the theater program helped get him into the school of architecture.

Andrew Long's realistic props, including a 23-foot-tall church, faux mausoleum, hang man, coffins with corpses and zombie cage that, while impressive, aren't especially frightening until Long adds his finishing touches — passive infrared sensors that activate when a thrill seeker approaches, 100 different types of LED lights, fog machines and a variety of spooky sounds, many created by Long himself on his keyboard.

Long even discovered a company that sells scents, so he can replicate the odor of a marshy swamp or burning flesh, engaging all the senses.

His creations are so realistic, the creators behind the popular Dade City haunt, Scream-A-Geddon, wanted to buy Long's swinging torso with guts spilling out.

Haunt for HEP was the 2020 recipient of Best Walk-Thru Display and Best Pneumatic Prop from the national group, Halloween Yard Haunts and Props.

To supplement the props and bring a human element to the interactive walk-through exhibit, the Haunt for HEP uses 10 to 15 scare actors from the East Lake High School theater department, including Long's sister, Madeline, a senior at East Lake. Because proceeds go to a charity, the students get Bright Futures volunteer hours for participating while having a blast.

It takes Andrew Long with the help of his dad and neighbors about three weeks to set up the haunt for the big reveal Oct. 29.

"We add typically two props every year," said Michael Long. "But this year we'll be going back and redesigning some of the old props because our skills have gotten a lot better."

There is no cost to attend Haunt for HEP but donations are welcome, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit.

House On The Hill

Be sure to also check out the House on the Hill Haunted Trail at 611 Beckett Way, Tarpon Springs, which opens Friday, Oct. 22.

Paul and Kathleen Barbiere and their children have been staging this haunt for more than 25 years.

Like Haunt for HEP, proceeds from the $8 ticket sales will be donated to HEP.

“With the current COVID-19 pandemic, we realize our homeless population is at great risk and have zero resources for proper food and housing," Kathleen Barbiere said. "We chose to work with the Homeless Empowerment Program this year to help raise funds for what is required to help care for the homeless and whatever supplies are needed."

This year's trail will feature a Dead Man’s Swamp theme. The haunt will take place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. It is recommended for ages 13 and up and face mask are required. Click here.

Scarehouse Pinellas

Scarehouse Pinellas, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse of fright at 12461 Creekside Drive, Largo, will continue its run-in-progress Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30 from 7 to 11 p.m.

This year's Scarehouse PInellas takes thrill seekers through the aftermath of last year’s red tide outbreak. It seems an anecdote for red tide has some creepy side effects that visitors will experience for themselves.

As in past years, proceeds from ticket sales will go to the SPCA Tampa Bay. The haunted venue will also collect pet food and pet supplies during the event.

For every donation, visitors will receive $5 off a single ticket. Military and first responders will also receive $5 off. The regular ticket price is $15 to $20.

A signed waiver is required for entry with a recommended age of 12 and above. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. For other guidelines and information, click here.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here.

To see how Andrew Long creates his eerie props, what his Youtube channel.