DITMARS — Local thrill seekers don't have to leave the neighborhood to find a haunted house this Halloween.
The nonprofit Astoria Music and Arts will host a "Haunted Mansion" at the Federation of Hellenic Societies' cultural center on 22-51 29th St. off Ditmars Boulevard next month — filling it with horror-themed rooms that visitors can walk through as a live band plays spooky sounds in the background.
This is the first time the group — which puts on an annual music festival in Astoria Park — has put together a haunted house, according to director Doris Cellar.
"We love Halloween," she said. "We decided it would be really fun to do a haunted house. Everyone always goes out to Long Island for haunted houses, or they go into the city, and it's really expensive."
Entry to the Haunted Mansion will be donation based (the suggestion is $5) and the group is also running an online fundraiser to help raise money to build sets, buy props and pay the actors.
"It's going to be a real haunted house," she said. "We've got six rooms, we've got actors, and every room has a different theme."
The haunted house is recommended for adults and older kids — primarily children who are old enough to tell the difference between what's real and what's pretend, Cellar said.
"I tested it with my nephew. [He's] 6, but he's a tough guy," she said. "It's pretty scary."
The haunted house will operate at night, but will be open during the day during it's two-day run if parents want to bring younger kids to check out the set without the actors and all the special effects.
The real action show will take place Oct. 30 and 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. The group is still hiring actors, and is also accepting donations for Halloween costumes and props.
For more information or to get involved, visit the group's Facebook or fundraiser page.
