When Jay Masters first started the Monster Bash at the Community Center gym in Harmony five years ago, he didn’t realize it would be such a big hit.
Masters first approached the Fillmore Central high school band director with the idea of starting a haunted house as a fundraiser for band trips. In the five years that the haunted house has been open, it’s grown into a success and something that many people look forward to each year. Visitors to the Monster Bash come from the Twin Cities, Mankato, La Crosse, Winona, Mason City, Iowa; and even Indiana. “I anticipated that it would draw from the local area and was pleasantly surprised by how far people come from,” Masters remarked. “We’re getting quite a reputation.”
Fillmore Central high school students are not required to work at the haunted house, but if they choose to, they earn one credit for each hour worked. Any time that their parents work counts towards their credits as well. “The profit is added up after the event and divided between the students depending on how many credits they earned,” Masters explained. Approximately 60 high school students who are eligible for the upcoming band trip help out with the Monster Bash each year.
“We have a different theme and floor plan each year to keep it fresh and keep people coming back again. We want to pique their interest,” Masters noted. The theme for 2016 is the Haunted Hotel. “Personally, I think this year will be the best so far, but I say that every year,” Masters laughed. “We’re really stepping it up this year and will do the same again next year. I already have some ideas and plans for next year.” The haunted house is a year-round project for Masters, and he usually has the floor plan done by February or March before the Monster Bash opens in October.
The Monster Bash has been such a success that this year, the Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce is getting in on the action by organizing a full day of activities and events called Haunted Harmony on October 22.
Last year’s Monster Bash raised a record $8,500, and with the trend it’s taken, Masters believes it will be even more this time around. “I’m hoping to do $10,000 this year,” he said.
Each year, Masters raises about $3000 for start-up costs by asking local businesses and individuals to donate money or materials. For a $500 donation, the business’s name is put on the back of the Monster Bash t-shirt. This year, a 5K Zombie Crawl is also being held to raise money for next year’s event. “We’re asking people to dress up for it,” Masters said.
“I hope to see it continue to grow and by year seven or eight, I’d hope to be self-sufficient,” commented Masters. A marketing committee was formed this year, and a used hearse from Indiana was purchased to use for parades. “I can hear people talking when I’m driving the hearse in the parade and they’ll be saying, ‘I didn’t know Harmony had a haunted house! We’ll have to go to that!’” he laughed. “Obviously using the hearse as a marketing strategy was a good idea.”
A management team made up of volunteers determines the theme each year and also meets after the event to critique it. They decide what worked and what didn’t so things can run that much smoother the following year.
“We get great support throughout the school district for the event. This is something that the district can be proud of,” Masters commented. The support doesn’t just come from Harmony, but from Preston and Fountain as well.
Dozens of local people and businesses donate money, materials, and/or their time to the Monster Bash. “I wish there was a way to thank each one individually,” Masters expressed. Some of the volunteers don’t even have children in school, but they do it because they want to help others. “We’re always looking for more people to be involved!” Masters said.
Tickets for the Monster Bash haunted house are $8 per person. “That’s very cheap compared to other haunted houses in the area,” Masters said, pointing out that most charge $15 and up for a ticket. We’re top quality and the least expensive!” Masters can say this with certainty as the haunted house receives many compliments to that effect each time it’s open.
This year’s Monster Bash will open at 7 p.m. on October 20 with a “less scary” night and will remain open for that weekend and the next from Thursday through Sunday. It opens at 7 p.m. each night and closes at 9 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday nights and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. On the day of the Haunted Harmony event, Monster Bash will open early at 5 p.m.
You can find more information on Monster Bash at fchsmonsterbash.com or on their Facebook page. To see how you can volunteer or help with the event in some way, call Jay Masters at