Knotts Scary Farm Exclusive Preview of the Gunslinger’s Grave

The idea of a western-themed maze for Halloween Haunt is a no-brainer for the theme park that built its reputation on a western ghost town aesthetic.  In fact, up-and-coming maze designer, Gus Kreuger, explains, “It’s not difficult to find inspiration to do something western at Knott’s, honestly.”  He explains, “I know it was something that was kicked around here for a long time.  I am a huge fan of westerns and I had an interesting take on how to pull it off.  I presented the idea to Knott’s and they liked it.”

The storyline of the new maze at Knotts Scary Farm is as simple as the old west itself.  A corrupt mayor has taken over a sleepy town and allowed a gang of roughnecks to seize control of the town.  When a simple man on the outskirts of town discovers too much about the evil authorities the nameless man and his family are attacked.  The gang burns down his home, murders his wife and children, and leaves him for dead.  The maze picks up here, just after the attack on the gunslinger’s homestead.  We then spend the maze following the gunslinger’s trail of vengeance.

Knott’s official description reads…

“Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township. This journey back in time takes guests on a trail of terror through abandoned gold mines, a treacherous corral, a seedy saloon and a final showdown at town hall.”

 

As we spoke with Gus we were led into the maze to see for ourselves. The new mazes is an almost Tarintino-esque take on the old west.  Gunslinger’s Grave reverses the path of the previous maze, Fallout Shelter, and begins opposite the entrance to Silver Bullet (exiting near Sierra Sidewinder).

From the get-go it is apparent that Gus has a particular eye for environment.  The first scene takes place in the charred remains of the gunslinger’s home.     The danger is not some fantasy, it is real and very present. This is a departure of sorts and one that the first-time maze designer took on with confidence.  This maze is different from any other that has been produced at Knott’s annual Halloween Haunt in that this is a simple tale of vengeance.  No supernatural elements, no psychotic killers, not even a single killer clown.

 

This rather ambitious endeavor is actually Gus’ first maze design.  Hired on as talent in 2000 for the maze “Elvira’s Nightmare”, Gus continued to pursue his passion of creating new environments by getting involved with Carpentry in 2002.  By 2006 Gus had begun working in Props and in three years, he had the run of the entire department.  Along the way he acted as Art Director or Assistant Art Director on many of the different mazes over the years.  But it wasn’t until End Games: Warriors of the Apocalypse returning in 2012 that he had his first stab at designing a maze.  Originally designed by Brooke Walters, Engames had to be relocated backstage and edited down from a sprawling path across Camp Snoopy, to a more intimate backstage warehouse. The task wasn’t easy, but what resulted was a tight storyline and a heightened sense of danger.  It was clear that Mr. Krueger was ready to develop a concept of his own.

 

“I try to be very, very thorough.” Gus explained.  “I attempt to just craft an environment and put together a fully fleshed-out piece.”  That he did.  We can’t wait to experience the wild west Gus Style when Haunt begins its run on Thursday, September 26th.

Tickets to the oldest, biggest, baddest Halloween Party on the Planet are available here.  The MiceChat Knott’s Scary Farm event is sold out, but there are plenty of tickets left to Haunt.  Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and use the hashtag #MCHorrorKSF to follow the fun and scares on September 28th, the night of the event!

Our rundown on what you can expect to find at the 2013 Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt is HERE.

Sounds of the Haunt!