Palm Coast’s ‘Hall of Terror’ celebrates ‘Friday the 13th’
The city’s Fire Station 21 on Corporate Drive will transport guests to Camp Crystal Lake and the world of “Friday the 13th.” Watch for more.
- Palm Coast Fire Station 21 is hosting its annual “Hall of Terror” haunted house event.
- This year’s theme is based on the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise, featuring an immersive experience.
- The free, two-night event has previously drawn thousands of attendees.
PALM COAST — The iconic, ominous “Welcome to Camp Crystal Lake” yellow sign from the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise is hanging somewhere inside Palm Coast Fire Station 21, and who knows where Jason might lurking around.
That is just a part of what guests can expect for this year’s “Hall of Terror” Halloween event, which starts Thursday, Oct. 30, and promises many more spooky surprises.
One of the most attended events in the city, the two-day haunted-house experience has drawn thousands of guests over the years. Last year, nearly 7,000 people came through the station, according to the city.
“We do it over the course of two nights and six hours, which is pretty incredible,” said Fire Lt. Dan Driscoll, who has been in charge of the event since 2012, in an interview Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Guests form a line outside the back of the station, where groups of five or six people are let in one at a time to walk through the decorated, and scares-packed, wall maze set up inside the back half of the station’s bay.
Driscoll credits the entire team of volunteers who help him put together the show, including his colleague, Patrick Appolonia, who works on promotional material for “Hall of Terror.”
“Those videos have a lot of views and likes, and I think that’s what draws people in. They’re sharing with their friends and are like, ‘I didn’t realize that something this involved was going on,’” Driscoll said.
The event that grew from a small Halloween display at former Fire Chief Jerry Conte’s house eventually moved to the fire station in 2010.
Seeing the crowds of locals and guests from other towns every year since then “feels incredible,” Driscoll said.
Palm Coast’s ‘Hall of Terror’ 2025 event promises ‘Friday the 13th’ surprises
Though the model has proven a success since moving to the station, Driscoll said the “Friday the 13th” theme will be “an immersive experience” from the moment guests arrive.
“This is the first year we ever pulled it off,” he said. “There are going to be things going on inside of the house and outside.”
The chance to incorporate the atmosphere of Camp Crystal Lake was too good an opportunity to pass up, so guests can be on the lookout for special features while waiting to go inside.
The theme is also Driscoll’s own way of paying homage to the franchise, which stopped in the 12th entry with 2009’s reboot of the original 1980 movie.
“It seems like a travesty – it’s ‘Friday the 13th,’” he said.
To celebrate the movies, each room through the experience will reference scenes from some of the 12 movies: Halloween masks from “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning,” Jason’s resurrection from the sixth entry “Jason Lives,” and a special surprise room celebrating the eighth installation, “Jason Takes Manhattan.”
“I like to see that the people enjoy it,” Driscoll said. “Some people have come every year since it started, which is absolutely incredible.”
With a large attendance every year, it’s hard work for Driscoll and his team to keep the event smooth and make guests happy.
“It is a free show; we got the food trucks, so grab a snack, wait in line and have some fun,” Driscoll said.
What to know before going to Palm Coast’s ‘Hall of Terror’ event
The Hall of Terror takes place from 7 to 10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Oct. 31, at Palm Coast Fire Station 21, 9 Corporate Drive.
Individuals who benefit from reduced lights and sounds are invited to a sensory-sensitive hour designed to provide a more comfortable experience from 6 to 7 p.m. both nights.
Parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the fire station, with overflow parking in the Kohl’s shopping center parking lot. Admission is free.
