
DATE: Thursday, October 16, 1997            TAG: 9710150197

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  114 lines

``THE ALIEN ZONE'' THE VIETNAM VETERAN'S HAUNTED FOREST IS FULL OF FRIGHTENING SURPRISES, AND A FEW ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD.

IT'S THE CITY'S worst nightmare:

Norfolk's Botanical Garden is transformed into a toxic waste dump.

Purple-eyed aliens with long spindly fingers and grotesquely deformed faces accost elderly couples on a morning stroll.

War veterans haul away truckloads of disfigured limbs, slimy guts and headless bodies.

But this is no horror tale. It's all part of the preparations for this year's ghoulish version of one of the state's most popular outdoor Halloween attractions, The Haunted Forest.

The monster hit - now in its eighth year at the gardens off Azalea Garden Road - is the pet project of local Vietnam veterans. Chapter 48 of the Vietnam Veterans of America has raised thousands of dollars each year from the event to benefit nearly a dozen local charities.

``This is not just a big fund-raiser; it's a big event,'' noted Frank Lipoli, the show's creator, chief scriptwriter and inspirational leader. ``It's Halloween every night out here. And we have a lot of fun. That's what it's all about. We entertain people by scaring the hell out of them.''

In 1989, the veterans started with two generators, a tangle of extension cords and a $2,000 budget. Today, the continually expanding show has grown into a $10,000 production of 50 scenes, 300 volunteer cast members, some 30,000 lights, truckloads of props and a sophisticated sound system. This year, Lee's Tires Inc. joined with the vets to become the show's official presenting sponsor.

The veterans claim their Haunted Forest is the largest Halloween show on the East Coast. It certainly draws huge crowds. So far, some 75,000 area residents - and at least one bus-load of adventurers who traveled on a ``Mystery Tour'' all the way from Roanoke - have climbed aboard the ``Tram of Terror'' for a 35-minute tour through darkened snake pits, a witches gate, vampire village, a mad scientist lab and other ghoulish delights. This year, some 16,000 more revelers are expected.

Traditionally held the last two weekends of October, the show always sells out. This year, to avoid turning away so many disappointed trick-or-treaters, the vets decided to add a third weekend of presentations. The attraction opens Oct. 17 and continues each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 1.

Ten days before opening night, dozens of volunteers scrambled through the tree-shrouded route, setting up graveyards, unloading boxes of props and posing for publicity shots. Although planning began in January, by September the volunteers work ``full-throttle.''

``A lot of people put a lot of hard work into this thing,'' admitted Lipoli.``We always add something new each year. This year, the aliens are taking over the forest.''

As if on cue, two creatures looking as though they just stepped off the set of ``The X-Files'' lunged forward. After saying a few words in a language of unknown origin, the two fluttered over to a few startled strollers to touch, mug and ham.

Watching, Steve Lindblad, a Norfolk fireman and ``Toxic Waste Dump'' coordinator, quipped:

``Roswell is alive and well.''

The spirit of the infamous New Mexico City will prevail in the forest's newest attraction, ``The Alien Zone,'' a science-fiction scene featuring more than 30 costumed characters. Audiences can expect to see an alien autopsy and creature battle during the tour.

Also new this year is a ``Goosebumps'' scene, based on the popular series of children's books. A headless ghost, towering scarecrow of lights, mummies and other characters will be spotlighted.

``My kids are heavily into `Goosebumps,' '' noted Keith Cooke, a route salesman, who with his wife, Karen, are the scene creators. ``We're having a lot of fun with it. Every once in a while you need to get crazy . . . and this is for such a good cause.''

Scenes from the movies ``Scream'' and the ``Island of Dr. Moreau'' will also be featured.

But this is no sit-and-watch kind of adventure. Werewolfs, ghost pirates, manimals, voodoo witch doctors, ghouls and other beings have been known to jump aboard the tram and perform all sorts of horrific antics.

``Sooner or later we get everybody,'' boasted Lipoli. ``We can't control these monsters.''

Even as guests await their turns on the tram, they're blasted with spiritual happenings. Characters from ``Men In Black,'' ``Beetlejuice'' and ``101 Dalmatians'' are planning to perform on stage, mingle through the crowd and present a few surprises.

Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and dress warmly. Purchasing tickets in advance is also a must. Rarely are tickets available at the gate.

``We've turned away thousands of people every year who didn't have their tickets,'' maintained Lipoli. ``The only thing scarier than the Haunted Forest is not getting a ticket to it. It's the best show in town.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by RICHARD L.

DUNSTON

This isn't a character from a Spielberg movie, it's one of the

``aliens'' hiding out in Norfolk Botanical Garden. His Earth name is

Bob Waters, a fellow veteran of Anthony Barnett, pictured on the

cover.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

This year's Halloween events in Norfolk include:

Haunted Forest, Vietnam Veterans of America, Norfolk Botanical

Garden. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17-19 and 24-25; 6:30 to 9:30

p.m. Oct. 26, 31 and Nov. 1. Tickets are $6 and must be purchased in

advance. Call 456-1545.

Haunted House, the Norfolk Jaycees' charitable fund-raising event