SCAREmaster

Friday, 22 September 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY -

Jimy Foreman's creativity is still going strong after 10 years on the job.

One of the original masterminds behind Cedar Point's HalloWeekends, Foreman doesn't want to rest and focus only on his construction day job.

"I want to do more," said 52-year-old Foreman, an actor and producer.

A decade ago, the Whites Landing resident answered a call for actors at Cedar Point. He had just returned from Washington, D.C., where he was working in theater.

As the summer was ending, the former Broadway performer was approached by park executives to help them start the new idea of HalloWeekends.

Ten years later, Foreman has gone from producing two sideshows to eight.

He loves every minute of it -- even if he's constructing foreboding sets at midnight.

"They come to see the park in a different costume," Foreman said of his passion for HalloWeekends, which opens tonight for its 10th anniversary.

Every year, it gets a little easier training the 32 performers. Many of them return year after year to perform.

Among his favorite shows are Wizard's Wishes, The Witches of Witch Hollow, A Trio of Terror from Edgar Allen Poe and the Gypsy Fortune Tellers.

"I leave most of the scary to Cedar Point," Foreman said. "I entertain the masses walking by."

While the summer entertainment at Cedar Point is mostly kept to the insides of theaters, the performers are scattered throughout the park during HalloWeekends, he said.

Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards said HalloWeekends have gotten more popular every year. While Cedar Point doesn't release attendance figures for HalloWeekends, Edwards said some of the busiest days at the park have been during HalloWeekends.

"It's not too hot or too cold; people can come in and stay until midnight," Edwards said.

Cedar Point is open from 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays; noon to midnight Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Ride availability is limited on Friday nights. Walk-through attractions are not open Sundays.

Edwards said Fridays are the least busy because of football, but those who don't follow high school athletics think it's the best time to come to the park.

Lance Heal, production manager at Cedar Point, said live entertainment is central to HalloWeekends.

"Every bit of fog seen in the park is live entertainment," Heal said. "There are shows going on around the park. It's the busiest time for live entertainment."

However, when the lights go off at the park at 8 p.m. and the fog starts -- and 2,000 people start screaming -- it's all worth it, he said.

HalloWeekends

• Six weekends: Sept. 22-Oct. 29

• Prices: Friday night/Starlight, $24.95; Saturdays and Sundays, $39.95; and $9.95 for juniors and seniors

• Food: Roasted corn-on-the-cob, giant turkey drumsticks, Angus beef hamburgers

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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