As the sun sets on most October nights in American Fork, a faint noise can be heard in the distance. But don't be alarmed by the frightening sounds of chain saws, screams and loud explosions, it's just the Haunted Forest busy scaring Utahns from all across the state. Now in its 20th year of operation, the Haunted Forest is the best it's been yet.

"You build on it every year," said Rob Ethington, owner of the local attraction. "The show has upped itself every year."

Ethington got his start with haunted houses while living in Provo Canyon as a Brigham Young University student. After walking through his property at dusk one evening, Ethington noticed how eerie it was. He also noticed potential.

"It would be kinda fun to have people come up and put on a show," Ethington said, reflecting on the initial years of the Haunted Forest. And that's exactly what he did. "People loved it."

To no one's surprise, the BYU civil engineering graduate was hooked. Shortly after the success of his first haunted house in Provo Canyon, Ethington bought several acres in American Fork just off I-15 and hasn't stopped building since. About half of the props and robots are built by Ethington and the rest are bought, some costing up to $20,000.

Despite the forest being hard work, sitting behind a desk just doesn't appeal to the entertainment entrepreneur.

"It's very satisfying to watch people come to our establishment and have the time of their life," he said. "That's what makes it fun."

However, Ethington is quick to point out that the Haunted Forest would be nothing without the employees. A majority of the actors are local teenagers that audition to play the roles of everything from the infamous Freddy Krueger to the victim of a mad scientist's latest experiment. Once hired, some actors find their niche role and line up early in the evenings to secure their position as that character.

Just before the Haunted Forest opens for the evening, the makeup room buzzes with activity. Arriving as normal-looking teenagers, the actors stroll out of the room in tattered clothes, immaculate masks and a healthy dose of fake blood. Ethington hires a professional makeup artist to airbrush the actors for the more intricate jobs.

From the first group to the last, the actors do their best to frighten the patrons that wander through the dark forest and themed shacks. During the weekends, it seems near impossible to get a break as hundreds constantly flow through the forest. Meanwhile, Ethington rushes throughout the forest on a walkie-talkie making sure everything is operating smoothly.

Even though the job is seasonal, Ethington tries his best to bring together a good working environment and sense of community for the employees.

"We get a lot of young people that are great kids that need to spread their wings," Ethington said. "I want them to have fun."

And from the looks of it, Ethington is doing a good job. He estimates that about 40 percent of the 75 to 85 young adults employed annually return the following year to dress up and do it all over again. For them, getting a good scare is the highlight and goal of the job.

"If somebody isn't hitting you or cussing at you, you aren't doing your job," said Camiron Anderson, a second year employee at the Haunted Forest. "I get really good screams out of people."

Third-year employee Caitlyn Wandvik aims to scare the boyfriends that bring their dates to the Haunted Forest.

"They think they're all tough, and then you scare them," Wandvik said.

And as soon as the last group of the season goes through the forest, it's safe to say that Ethington will begin preparing for next year's screams.

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