Check Out Junkins Haunted Estate This Halloween

Families who want to do a haunted walk this Halloween without the extreme fright factor that many other attractions offer should check out Junkins Haunted Estate.

Located in Kittery, Maine on 87 Wilson Road, which is just a mile west of the Kittery Trading Post on Route 101, this haunted walk through the yard and woods of Dana Junkins' home features everything from live ghosts and ghouls who are lurking at every turn to spooky sounds and eerie sights and a UFO.

The most amazing thing about this attraction is that it is free. Junkins said he started transforming his yard and property into a Halloween attraction 26 years ago after he saw there were no trick or treaters in his neighborhood.

As someone who has always loved Halloween, Junkins said he decided to create something where families could teach their kids to enjoy the day the way he did growing up. It has grown in size and scope ever since and now sees an average of 1,500 visitors every October.

The tours are conducted at night between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. and two more are scheduled on Wednesday and Halloween. Junkins said he does accept donations to help him cover the cost of staging the event, but he does not require any money from anyone. There are also dozens of photos and videos on Junkins Haunted Estate's Facebook page that have been shot over the years.

He said he and the volunteer players try to be sensitive to the families that walk down the gruesome path. When they see a young child who says, "trick or treat," Junkins said the ghouls will say, "Happy Halloween." He said they will also leap out from behind a tree and scream when they encounter adults and teens.

The common denominator that Junkins and the volunteers want to achieve each year is Halloween fun. This is just one of many cool Halloween attractions and activities in the Portsmouth area. This Halloween, share your photos, videos and thoughts about how you and your family celebrate Halloween here in our blog.