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David’s Haunted Manor To Infest Old Elk Valley Casino, Husband-Wife Duo Credits Community’s Enthusiasm For Big Comeback

Even when COVID made a haunted manor unwise, David and Jo’Ann Holcomb never stopped adding to their inventory of spookiness.

This is good because their big comeback will take place in about two weeks in the old Elk Valley Casino — a building with about four times the square footage of their previous venue, Jo’Ann Holcomb told the Wild Rivers Outpost.

“We’re going to have about 19 different designated areas or rooms,” she said. “We’re using the entire casino floor as well as the event center.”

David’s Haunted Manor opens on Oct. 14. Tickets are on sale now.
However, though they have a cadre of volunteers ready to help build the scare zones, the Holcombs are still seeking actors. They will hold a final sign-up event from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday at the old casino, 2500 Howland Hill Road in Crescent City.

Jo’Ann Holcomb said about 35 people are helping build, including a consistent crew of about 12. As for actors, she said she and her husband are looking for people of a variety of ages and availabilities. The Haunted Manor will be open until 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 11 p.m. on Halloween night, which is a Monday.

“We’re looking for humans that are moderately alive and can follow simple directions and have fun because that’s what it’s supposed to be,” Holcomb said. “This is something we would build if no one showed up. We would still do it. It’s fun.”

David Holcomb was 15 when he began building his haunted manor at his parents’ house on Lake Earl Drive. That was back in 1999. Since then, the manor has grown, moving to the Del Norte County Fairgrounds, then the old Englund Marine building at the Crescent City Harbor and, now, the 12,000 square-foot former Elk Valley Casino.

This year David’s Haunted Manor is splitting its proceeds with Gateway Education of the Wild Rivers Coast. Founded by Ron Cole, Gateway Education provides educational opportunities for youth, including summer days camps, a hero quest and disc golf…