As Halloween approaches, the nights come earlier and last longer. With the longer nights comes the search for all things spooky and scary.
The Haunted Grotto will satisfy that search.
The Aad Enterprise's Haunted Grotto will kick off its fourth year of frightening the area. And what better day to do it than Friday the 13th.
"We began working on (the haunted house) in mid-July," Co-chair Mikhail Stith said. "It's a yearlong process putting up and taking down."
His, Co-chair Greg Dortch and other Aad Enterprise members attend other haunted houses and conventions throughout the year to gather ideas to make their own scare-fest.
"It's a weird hobby some of us have," Stith said.
Many of the zombies and ghouls found throughout the Haunted Grotto have either been donated, bought or made by Stith and other Aad Enterprise members.
"A lot of everyday things you can buy along with imagination and creativity are used," Stith said when describing the construction of the Haunted Grotto.
The winding path of twisting hallways has expanded this year with a fright around every corner of the 125 panels and 15 rooms.
Different themes can be found throughout, including clowns, a morgue, chop shop and more.
"There will defiantly be some new surprises that visitors have not yet seen the previous three years," Stith promised.
A minimum of 30 people are required per night to operate a haunted house of this size.
"We have a tremendous and talented group," Stith said. "It takes an army to make this (Haunted Grotto) go over."
While no age limit is set to attend the Haunted Grotto, Stith advised parental discretion.
From feedback received, Stith said many have said the area's only haunted house this year is just as competitive and believed to be even scarier than haunted houses south and north of Poplar Bluff.
Admission for a scary, good time is $10 at the door. The Haunted Grotto will open at 7 p.m. and run until midnight on Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28, 30 and 31 at 3102 Kennedy Lane.
The haunting will go on rain or shine.
"We have an indoor staging area if needed," Stith said.
All proceeds will go to Aad Enterprise as well as back into the efforts for an even larger haunted house next year.