Monsters ?at the gate

If Baton Rouge has its own Freddy Krueger, it’s Dwayne Sanburn, the fiendish mind behind the wildly popular 13th Gate haunted house.

This nationally ranked Halloween destination (hauntworld.com) frightens Baton Rougeans by the thousands with beasts detailed enough to be worthy of a Hollywood horror flick. But that shouldn’t be a surprise: the effects are created by movie set designers, and the elaborate haunted house also features animatronics and robotics.

Sanburn tinkers constantly with his horrific attraction, swapping out and replacing some of the 13 themed areas that will test just about any fear or phobia.

This year Sanburn has added a haunted carnival, appropriately called “Carnevil.” And in “Buried Alive,” you can experience the sensation of being a corpse in a simulated coffin.

You can also relive your scariest movie moments through the Halloween themed areas, attempt to defy death with a crawl through a crematory, or brave dark waters by crossing a creepy bridge.

There are also additional rides, games and food and refreshments to round out the frightening fun.

832 St. Phillip Street

Admission: $20

Your timetable of terror

Tour dates and times:

Sept. 24 – Oct. 17: Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 6:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 – 31: Every night, 6:30 p.m. until the last victim gets in!

November 6, 7, and 13 (Friday the 13th) “Flashlight Fright Nights,” 7 p.m. – ’til

Carnevil:

Every Friday and Saturday night ?in October, opening at 7 p.m.

Admission: $3 – $5 (depending on nightly bands and special entertainment)

Admission is free with purchase ?of your 13th Gate ticket