Central Oregon Coast Scares: Florence's Haunted Maze Gearing Up for More Frights

Published 09/12/2026 at 8:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Florence, Oregon) - Once upon a time, fairy tales were meant to help children fall asleep. This October, the central Oregon coast theater group C.R.O.W. is turning them into the stuff of nightmares.

What could go wrong?

Well, your sleep schedule, for one. Or maybe your heart rate.

The organization is preparing its 2026 Scare-C.R.O.W. Haunted Maze, “Scary Tales,” running October 28-31 at the Florence Events Center, where visitors will step into a twisted storybook world filled with shadowy forests, wicked queens, sinister creatures, and frightening versions of familiar fairy-tale characters. In this maze, happily ever after is anything but certain.

“Our Haunted Maze gets more immersive and scarier every year,” said C.R.O.W. Artistic Director Melanie Heard. “With ‘Scary Tales,' we're taking familiar stories everyone knows and turning them completely upside down.”

C.R.O.W. has built a reputation for delivering some of Oregon's punchiest Halloween scares. Its previous mazes — “Quarantine,” “Carn-EVIL of Terror,” and “Abandoned” — each earned the title of #1 Haunted Attraction in Oregon, an impressive distinction for a nonprofit based in a coastal Oregon community of fewer than 10,000 residents.

Unlike permanent haunted attractions, C.R.O.W. constructs its elaborate maze from the ground up each year, relying on theatrical storytelling, detailed environments, live performers, special effects, and stage magic to create an added layer of psychological tension.

“On November 1, we have to pack the monsters away until the following year,” Heard joked.

“Scary Tales” takes place entirely indoors on the flat floor of the Florence Events Center and is ADA accessible. Organizers note that the regular Haunted Maze experience is not recommended for small children, and entry is always at each visitor's discretion and at their own risk.

More than 1,100 guests attend C.R.O.W.'s Haunted Maze annually, including Halloween thrill-seekers from across Oregon, California, and Washington. Beyond the maze itself, visitors can enjoy concessions, themed boutique merchandise, and haunted photo opportunities, creating a full evening of Halloween entertainment.

New this year, C.R.O.W. will introduce a Sensory Friendly Guided Walk-Through, allowing guests to explore the maze with the lights on and without jump scares. The popular Less Scary Hour will also return on two nights, offering a toned-down version of the attraction for younger guests, families, and anyone who prefers their fairy tales with less fright.

Proceeds from the Haunted Maze support C.R.O.W.'s 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth arts programs, which include theatre, dance, camps, workshops, community outreach, and free-to-participate youth mainstage productions.

This year's maze is co-designed by Tina Ferkey, Robin Mendolia, and Melanie Heard.

Event times, admission details, photos, videos, FAQs, and additional information are available at http://www.crowkids.com/haunted-maze or by emailing artisticdirector@crowkids.com.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - - Where to eat - - Florence Oregon Virtual Tour, Map

 

 

Rarest of Finds for Oregon Coast Holiday Weekend: Handful of Hotel Openings Left
3 Jul 2026 at 9:36pm
Two in Lincoln City and two in Newport. Newport hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews. Coho Oceanfront Lodge, Hotely Sylvia, Inn at Nye Beach, Surfland Hotel

Historic North Oregon Coast Inn Gets New Life as Off-the-Beaten-Path Forest G...
Nehalem River Inn is nearly 100 years but has a new look. Manzanita hotel reviews, Manzanita lodging

Reviews of The Seashore Inn, Seaside
7 Sep 2026 at 11:11pm
We stayed in late winter and it was gorgeous in spite of the rain. Storm was perfect. You all made our belated 25th anniversary really special. Carmel and J. Seaside, Oregon hotel reviews

New Oregon Coast Hotel with Old World Charm
Like stepping back in time on the beachfront in Seaside, except with modern amenities around you. Seaside hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel review

 

 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

This Weekend Sees Launch of Roman Space Telescope to Look at Dark Matter, Early Universe
30 Aug 2026 at 8:46am
Big moment comes Sunday, Aug 30. Astronomy

Tix Now for Sale for South Oregon Coast's Holiday Lights at Shore Acres
10 Aug 2026 at 11:09pm
Tickets available for visits from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. Coos Bay events

Klamath Falls Oregon Weather - 7-Day Forecasts | Alerts | Temps | Sky Cams | Snow | Storm
19 Aug 2026 at 9:17am
Harney County Weather | Cams | River Levels | Air Quality | Alerts - Current conditions, forecasts, air quality, live radar weather cams, southern Oregon travel, storm alerts

Oregon Coast's Honeyman Park to Get Major Tree Removal Project, Brief Closure
19 Aug 2026 at 9:17am
A few days' closure in ?27 as 150 dead trees removed. Florence, traffic

The Great Oregon Coast Cleanup - And Rivers and Towns
8 Sep 2026 at 8:58pm
Annual Beach 'n Riverside Cleanup returns September 18 - 27. Astoria events, Seaside events, Cannon Beach events, Manzanita events, Rockaway Beach events, Tillamook events, Oceanside events, Pacific City events, Lincoln City events, Depoe Bay events, Newport events, Waldport events, Yachats events, Florence events, Reedsport events, North Bend events, Coos Bay events, Charleston events, Bandon events, Port Orford events, Gold Beach events, Brookings events

Missing Hiker Rescued from Oregon Coast Cliff - Above Lincoln City's Roads End
30 Aug 2026 at 7:25pm
A person reported missing overnight was found stranded on a cliff. Rescue. NW 26th access, NW 40th access. Weather

S. Oregon Coast Deputies Pull Over Golf Cart on Road, Discover Warrant
5 Sep 2026 at 9:22pm
Driver had a warrant out of Florence. Traffic, Coos Bay, Barview, Charleston

ISS Sightings Abound Over Washington, Oregon, Coastlines - and Wow, Are They Bright
22 Aug 2026 at 10:12am
Now through at least Thursday you can see the space station. Astronomy, Seattle, Portland, Weather

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted