Emmy Rossum at Haunted Hayride

LA’s Halloween Thrillseekers Have Sunday-FunNight at the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.

Last night was the VIP and Premiere Night of the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. This year the event is in a new location of Griffith Park’s Old Zoo, which is a favorite haunt spot of supernatural enthusiasts. We saw a lot of friends, celebs and smelled the fresh air and cool breeze of a fall night in Griffith Park. Guests began showing up at 7:00pm to enjoy a 20-minute hayride through some of the most terrifying scenes we have EVER seen. The location also is home to a 5,000 square foot haunted maze made completely of hay, as well as a traditional carnival area (with lots of food, games and the kind of rides we loved as kids but fear as adults). Celebs and VIP guests were treated to front of line passes for this special night only, such a treat! Oh, did we mention there were at least 75 actors dressed up as the scariest demons, clowns, monsters and headless beauty queens imaginable!?

So what exactly went on Sunday night in Griffith Park’s allegedly haunted Old Zoo? Well, it seemed as though most of LA’s Young Hollywood came out for a night of scares and laughs at the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. Emmy Rossum showed up to the black carpet early with some friends to be one of the first to take a 20-minute hayride through dozens of horrifying scenes. After doing the terrifying hayride, Stephanie Pratt sat the next horror out… a 5,000 square foot haunted maze made of all hay! Pals Chord Overstreet of Glee, Josie Loren of Make It or Break It and James Preston of The Gates walked the carpet together before heading down to the hayride. Our favorite Modern Family cast member, Sarah Hyland, looked cute as a button while enjoying a fall night out with friends. And Dancing With The Stars young’n Kyle Massey was full of laughs throughout the ‘Carnival of Souls’ with friend (and real life brother), Chris Massey of Zoey 101. Dozens more of our favorite actors and actresses showed up, and everyone was full of smiles. Halloween is here… and we couldn’t be more excited!

What we ate: Canter’s Deli food truck, Hoffy’s Hot Dogs food truck, Maggiano’s italian food, Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt, hot apple cider and more!

Who we saw: Emmy Rossum, Sarah Hyland, Stephanie Pratt, Melissa Carbone (Ten Thirty One Productions and Executive Director of LAHH), James Preston, stylist Johnny Wujek, Kyle Massey (Dancing With The Stars), Brett Ruttenberg, Riawna Capri (Nine Zero One salon), Jonathan Bennett, Camille Guaty, publicist Melissa Berger, Caroline D’Amore, stylist Jessica Paster, Ben Brosseau, Alice Greczyn, manager Brianne Castillo-Huang, Chord Overstreet, Bridget Marquardt, Natasha Alam, publicist Nicole Perna, Jean Kwolek, Melora Hardin, Dick Horgan, Tanner Beard, Anya Monzikova, Josie Loren, Ryan Rottman, Rob Mayes, Anthony Fitzgerald, Chris Massey (Zoey 101), Joel Michaely, Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Nikita Ramsey, Reid Ewing, SBE’s Derek Besenfender, Zack Silva, publicist Whitney Peterson, Sara Murray (Michelle Marie PR), Scout Taylor-Compton, Sophia Rossi, director/choreographer Adam Shankman, Ashley Fink and Dior’s Stacey Kubasak.

So, the story of the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride comes from a history of fact and legend claiming that shortly after the Old Zoo opened in the early 1900′s, the animals starting acting strange, and people on the property started acting stranger. A string of unexplained instances and bad luck started rumors of the Old Zoo being build on unholy ground which resulted in a mass gathering of the community to “drive out the evil.” That night became the tragic end to those villagers when a fire erupted in the Old Zoo. The animals were relocated. Those who perished that night remain on the grounds still trying to battle the evil, yet it is they who will not leave. The zookeeper and his family are often seen keeping vigil of the property and animals, however, there have been no animals present for 100 years. Hundreds of reports claiming the strong presence of unrest has made The Old Zoo a site of high interest by haunt experts and supernatural enthusiasts.

Another fun fact we learned tonight was that the event supported the popular foundation Save Japan Dolphins (www.savejapandolphins.org), the organization supported in the movie, THE COVE. As it turns out, the event’s Executive Director, Melissa Carbone, was one of the five delegates who presented to the US Embassy in Japan to end the dolphin slaughters at The Cove. We love hearing this stuff!

The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride goes on every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday up through Halloween. Tickets can be purchased on location or online at www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com. Ticket prices range from $25-$60, depending on when you go and what level of access/lines you purchase. Discount coupons can be obtained at any Gelson’s Supermarket or Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt location. Purchases support the LA Parks Foundation.

More information on the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride can be found at www.losangeleshauntedhayride.com or on Twitter at @losangeleshaunt.

Thanks to the sponsors for the night: Gelson’s Supermarket, Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt, Hoffy’s and LA Parks Foundation.

Caroline Taylor Love on the black carpet - pic from Caroline

Monster on Haunted Hayride - pic from TPA Magazine