Haunted Hollow Wraps Up 2025 Season on November 1

Taylor Berndt
Oct 28, 2025
4 min read

A Weyauwega Halloween Tradition that Thrills, Gives Back, and Brings the Community Together

WEYAUWEGA, WI – On a quiet country stretch of Maple Grove Road, the glow of colored lights, swirling fog, and haunting sounds signal a fall tradition that has become a point of pride in Weyauwega. As the calendar turns to November, Haunted Hollow prepares for its final night of the 2025 season on Friday, November 1, marking another year of family creativity, community generosity, and just the right amount of fright.

A weathered sign reads "HAUNTED HOLLOW" in red, dripping letters, evoking a spooky atmosphere. Trees are faintly visible in the background.

What started 27 years ago as a small hayride and attic haunt has transformed into one of the most beloved free Halloween experiences in the area! For founder Kevin Maas, it all began simply with a love of the season and a knack for turning imagination into atmosphere.

“It started as a family event,” Kevin shared. “We used to do a hayride and a haunted house in my attic. Eventually, I set up a small display in my yard with an old tractor and a mannequin riding it. That’s how Haunted Hollow began.”

Today, the display stretches roughly 600 feet along the roadside, filled with spooky lighting, fog machines, themed music on 107.7 FM, and dozens of eerie scenes that flicker to life each night. Guests drive slowly through the experience, watching as live “monsters” wander in and out of the mist. On weeknights, the pace is relaxed, but on Halloween and weekends, Kevin expects the line of cars to be long and lively. “Weekdays are a great time to come,” he said. “Halloween night, we expect a long line!”

Built by Friends, Family, and Community Spirit

Haunted Hollow has always been a family project, but over the years, it has grown far beyond that. “The helpers are friends, family, and new friends we meet along the way,” Kevin explained. On any given weekend night, 10 to 12 volunteers join in to bring the yard to life, with some nights seeing as many as 17 characters on duty.

Group of people in Halloween costumes and masks pose outdoors at night. Street lamps illuminate them, creating a spooky atmosphere.

The setup is elaborate and takes weeks of preparation. “The biggest challenge each season is having enough volunteers,” Kevin admitted. “Especially for setup and takedown. I could never manage this by myself anymore like I did in the beginning.”

To make sure everyone enjoys the haunt at their own comfort level, Haunted Hollow has a simple “no scare” option. Guests who want to see the lights and decorations without surprises can turn on their hazard lights as they enter. “Some people just want to enjoy the yard or have small kids with them,” Kevin said. “The hazard lights let our monsters know not to approach.”

Haunted Hollow Donations Make a Difference

Although admission is completely free, Kevin has always seen Haunted Hollow as a way to give back to the community. Visitors are encouraged to bring nonperishable food, pet supplies, or cash donations that go directly to the Waupaca Area Food Pantry and the Waupaca Humane Society.

For 2025, donations have been lower than in past years, something Kevin hopes will turn around before the season ends. “The amount of food and humane society donations has decreased,” he said. “Even if people don’t want to buy items, cash donations go right to the charities.”Each contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.

Over the years, companies like McCain Foods and Del Monte have made generous gifts, but most of the support comes from local families who roll down their windows to drop a few items or dollars in the box. “Everyone who’s a part of Haunted Hollow deserves recognition,” Kevin said. “Without them, Haunted Hollow wouldn’t be what it is today.”

Cemetery entrance with "CEMETERY" sign, skeleton decor, lanterns, and person in a hockey mask. Overcast sky, field backdrop, eerie mood.

Lights, Fog, and Friendship

There isn’t one specific scene that stands out this year because, as Kevin put it, “the whole thing” comes together to make the experience special. Every prop, every glowing pumpkin, every chilling sound effect is part of a larger vision. The air is filled with fog and the faint echo of eerie music that drifts through the night, all broadcast over the local 107.7 FM station for drivers to tune in as they approach.

Illuminated sign in a grassy area reads "The Soundtrack of Haunted Hollow 107.7 FM Tune In," with coil graphics on sides and spooky font.

Those waiting in the long lines often find themselves entertained before they even reach the display. Monsters wander among the cars, waving, joking, and sometimes sneaking up for a playful scare. “Sometimes the long line can be more fun,” Kevin said with a grin. “We have monsters entertaining people while they wait.”

Wrapping Up Haunted Hollow and Looking Ahead

Once the final cars roll through on November 1, Kevin and his circle of family and friends begin taking everything down. For most people, the end of Halloween means a quiet return to normal life, but for Kevin, it’s already the start of next year’s planning. “As soon as we finish putting things away, we start thinking about what we’ll do differently next year,” he said.

Wooden coffin on a beige platform in a grassy area, with a cross and skull decoration nearby, evoking a somber mood.

Each season brings new additions, and fans often return just to see what has changed. “We add new items to the yard every year,” Kevin said. “Some spectators always look to see what’s new.”

Looking forward, Kevin hopes to keep Haunted Hollow going as long as possible and maybe even hand it down to the next generation. “I’d love to hand it all down to my son, who’s 16 now,” he said. “It depends on his interests as the years go by, but Haunted Hollow has always been proud to serve many people, both young and old, rich and poor.”

As Kevin and his volunteers prepare for one last week of scares, their message is simple: stop by, have some fun, and if you’re able, bring a donation to help someone in need. It’s a tradition built on creativity and kindness that continues to bring the community together year after year.