By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM – Halloween may be over for this year, but a professional haunted venue is set to open next October featuring monsters and creatures, sideshow attractions, games and plenty of scares for the whole family.

Horsefeather Haunts is described as a place where you will be transported to time where nonsense is celebrated and alternate history is created.

The setting for the venue is Steampunk, which is described as a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century.

“Steampunk worlds are often set in a Victorian setting with an alternative history featuring big gowns, corsets, bits of mystery, cyborgs, machines, weapons that don't exist and evil genius,” said owner Tracy Adle.

Visitors will ride a wagon into Horsefeather Haunts, located in the woods, where a DJ, performers, and artists will “entertain you within an inch of your life,” she said.

Horsefeather Haunts will be located at 80 State Highway 345 on nearly 80 acres of wooded area that is owned by family, Adle said.

“This is not your mom and pop haunted house. We have been working on this for about a year and half so far,” Adle said.

Adle said she has been working with local artists as well as artist Chaz Vanch who was a competitor from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge reality television game show which premiered on the Skyfy cable network on March 25. Vanch owns Technically Magic Effects, a special effects studio in West Falls.

He contracted with Adle for three days to work with artists on creating monsters, masks and foam fabric techniques.

“He helped us with understanding prosthetics, how to apply them and building creatures that will be operated either by actors or with actors in the suit. His involvement gives us that professional edge,” she said.

Adle and her husband have been touring professional haunts as well as attending trade shows and conventions nationwide in an effort to gain knowledge, she said.

“There will be a stage with acts, a building for vendors which will offer items associated with the theme. There will be jewelry and top hats and more for sale,” she said.

They will also have Boris Bighair’s Steamtraveler Sideshow featuring “horrific, mystical and nonsensical curiosities of a steamtraveler’s universe.”

“Dr. Briar Quarterman’s Dreamcatcher Exhibition will amaze spectators as he recalls dreams and nightmares of people on the ride,” she said.

A haunted maze, called The Short Cut, will be open during evening hours only for people over the age of 15 unless accompanied by a responsible adult.

There will also be a kid friendly adventure featuring special daytime performances, characters and activities which is suitable for ages 3 and older.

Other attractions will include a paintball game and specialty pumpkin racecars, Adle said.

“The Potsdam and West Potsdam Fire Departments will run the races with all of the proceeds going to them,” she said.

Adle said she plans to get local organizations involved as hosts for attractions and games as a way to generate revenue for a good cause.

“I wanted to create an avenue for income for local community organizations such as the Potsdam Humane Society and Renewal House,” she said.

“I want to bring an event that will get people in the community out and support locally,” Adle said.

Tracy has a background in insurance and construction and her husband has years of experience in military and law enforcement.

Her husband worked as a Sonar technician in the Navy and acquired electronic skills and during his time in the military he learned how to get people to work together and be motivated. His experience as a police officer will help with potential safety risks involved in the new business venture, Adle said.

During her 20 plus years in the insurance industry, Adle says conventions, seminars and learning from others mistakes and accidents have helped her learn about potential safety risks involved as well.

“I was raised in a situation where my father built his farm and most everything for himself, so my exposure to that gives me a leg up as I can imagine an idea and then build it,” Adle said.

Horsefeather Haunts will be open on weekends throughout October with hours on Friday nights and longer hours on Saturdays.

“This will be a little bit of Disneyland in the North Country,” Adle said.

For more information, visit www.horsefeathershaunts.com or “Like” their page on Facebook.