CV Sheriff’s Station prepares for ghoulish good time at Haunted Jail.

By Mary O’KEEFE

It has been a long time tradition in the Crescenta Valley –
the Haunted Jail. The spooky event held at the CV Sheriff’s Station at 4554 Briggs Ave. had been created years ago by a deputy who worked at the station. But in 2005 it came to an end in part due to the structural damage to the station’s wall due to water damage. When Captain Bill Song transferred to the CV Station he had asked the staff to bring the Haunted Jail back. Song grew up in the area and knew how popular the Haunted Jail had been. Now, with present Captain Christopher Blasnik, the tradtion will continue.

It came back strong in 2014 and, once again, the scare was on.

“This is a station event that is supported by the community,” said Deputy Alex Covian, community officer for CV Station.
The Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation are also sponsors of the event, which is supported by community members from local schools and organizations. Covian said the theme is a throw-back to the old days of zombie movies. He is a fan of the horror genre and has worked to bring that scare factor to this year’s event.

“This year we want [the haunted jail] to be scarier,” he said.

They are casting and directing the actors who are also volunteers. There is a soundtrack that was created by an expert in sound effects and music from Universal Studios. Covian and those creating the Haunted Jail have been working on props that include skulls and creepy skin.

“We are also building a swamp at the end of the [Haunted Jail],” he added.

There will be times for younger audiences to walk through called twilight walks-throughs. LA County Parks and Rec will have a moonbounce and game booths. There will also be a costume contest with entertainment, food and crafts for kids.

The Haunted Jail is on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Twilight Show for younger audiences is on Oct. 21 from
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The costume contests are on Oct. 21
for 2-year-olds and under at 3:30 p.m.; 3-to- 4 years old
at 4 p.m., 5-to-7 years old at 4:30 p.m., 8-to-10 years old at 5 p.m., 11-to-12 years old at 5:30 p.m. and 13 to adult is at 6 p.m.

Tickets are sold at the door. They are $5 for the Twilight Show and $8 for the 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. show.

  Mary Okeefe