Last year, the Moore family of Murrysville revived “Igor’s Fright Shack,” the homemade haunted house that family patriarch Michael Moore created in his younger years.
“My garage still bears the scars from when he started it,” said Moore’s father, Charles. “As a matter of fact, when they decided to start it back up last year, Michael came over to my house to take some measurements of the glue marks that are still on the floor.”
Igor’s Fright Shack is a little more involved than the typical “jump! scare!” haunted house.
When Michael and his wife, Beth, first began building the seasonal attraction, they also created an ongoing storyline that built on itself each year. Later this week, the family will get together to work on the script for this year.
They will be joined by more than 20 volunteers as they welcome visitors and bring them through a newly built courtyard.
That leads to the creaky-looking, weathered facade that has taken over the entrance to the Moore’s garage. Michael’s daughter Anna, 17, is a huge Halloween fan who designed the new courtyard, starting with digital sketches.
“I like learning new techniques for building all of this stuff,” she said.
The Moores created modular walls out of lightweight wood, which can be moved to create new layouts and repurposed each year.
In 2024, the family got a late start and was able to operate Igor’s Fright Shack for only four days.
But even in that short time, they managed to raise about $1,000, which was donated to hurricane relief efforts in Florida and North Carolina.
Moore said the serialized storyline the family has created for the haunted house works in two ways: It makes things less intense and better suited for all ages, and it keeps people coming back.
“It’s a fully immersive experience, and you end up being part of a living, breathing story that will continue the next year,” he said.
When it’ll be open
Igor’s Fright Shack will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25, and Nov. 1, 7 and 8 at the Moore residence, 285 Jefferson St. in Murrysville.
Donations will benefit Camp Boggy Creek, a free camp for children with serious medical issues.
For more, including available times to sign up and tour this year’s “mansion,” see IgorsFrightShack.com.
