By Steffen Klenk
One of the region’s most popular seasonal attractions has returned for another spooky season. Now in its 25th year, the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Terror in the Junkyard is bringing screams, scares and new surprises to visitors throughout October.
Long before the gates open, volunteers arrive to prepare for the evening. Behind the scenes, makeup artists transform volunteers into frightening characters. Once guests enter, they are greeted by clowns, ghouls and ghosts roaming the grounds.
The Haunted Hayride travels through the dark woods of Scullville, where zombies, clowns and other characters wait in the shadows. Guests never know what — or who — may jump aboard.
The Maze of Terror offers a different experience, challenging visitors to make their way through a series of dark passages with surprises waiting around nearly every corner.
Several features have been added to this year’s attractions, giving returning guests a different experience from previous seasons.
Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Vernon Cruse said he is proud to see the event continue to grow.
“There are not too many fire companies in the state that can pull this off,” Cruse said. “Countless hours go into it leading up to this.”
All 40 members of the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company are involved with Terror in the Junkyard in some capacity. Cruse credited the volunteers with making the event possible.
“It helps us provide equipment for our firefighters and gives us a better ability to serve our community,” he said.
Since its inception, Terror in the Junkyard has grown into the fire company’s largest annual fundraiser. Dozens of volunteers, including firefighters and members of community organizations, support the event from start to finish.
Participating groups this year include the Scullville Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Egg Harbor Township Crew Boosters, Scouting America, the Egg Harbor Township High School baseball team, the EHT Tornados softball team, Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company, Pomona Volunteer Fire Company and Galloway Public Safety Cadets.
“It’s not just a Scullville thing,” Cruse said. “It helps us free up some manpower to do some other things within the event.”
The idea for Terror in the Junkyard came from a Scullville firefighter who was inspired by a Halloween event at Universal Studios while honeymooning in Orlando, Florida.
“We were out in the market looking for a fundraiser to replace the one that we had, and he threw it out on the floor one day in a meeting, and it kind of grew,” Cruse said.
Each year, Terror in the Junkyard also honors local firefighter Eric Jones, a member of the Somers Point Volunteer Fire Company who died in 2022. An on-site green tractor that Jones drove while volunteering at the event now serves as a memorial recognizing his years of service and dedication.
Terror in the Junkyard is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 7 to 9 p.m. throughout October at Fleming’s Junkyard, 353 Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township.
Hayride tickets cost $15 per person, while tickets for the Maze of Terror cost $10. A combination ticket is available for $20. Military members and first responders receive a $2 discount.
The fire company will also host a sensory-friendly hayride from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. The experience will be free of loud noises, pop-out scares and long lines.
Tickets may be purchased at the gate or online at scullvillefire.org/hayride. For daily updates, including operating hours and weather-related information, call 609-927-2588 and select option 3.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
