The Palm Coast Fire Department is putting its ‘Hall of Terror’ haunted house for a 25th year this month, meaning Fire Station 21 will once again be transformed into a Halloween-themed house of horrors. The attraction will be open for two nights: Thursday, October 30th and Friday, October 31st.
In their Hall of Terror, the Palm Coast Fire Department builds a temporary hallway path through Fire Station 21 with spooks and scares like a traditional haunted house. Some are just displays, some are mechanical, and some rely on the scaring chops of the firefighters themselves. The public are invited to line up outside the fire station for a free trip through the production. Food trucks will be on-site on both Thursday and Friday.
Firefighters’ Passion Project
One of the hallmarks of the Hall of Terror is the theming the event takes on. This year, it’ll pay homage to the long-running Friday the 13th film series. Beginning with the titular first film in 1980, Friday the 13th introduced the iconic horror villain Jason Voorhees. Palm Coast residents can expect to meet Voorhees in person if they’re brave enough to visit Fire Station 21 for Halloween.
Each year the Hall of Terror seems to strive for unprecedented engagement with the community. Last year it set a record with over 7,000 attendees circling through the fire station in the two days it was open. And though more attendance means more work for the firefighters who put the event on, they’re more than willing to take on the challenge.
“Friday the 13th is such an iconic series and bringing it to life inside Fire Station 21 is something we are really looking forward to,” said Palm Coast Fire Department Lt. Dan Driscoll, who heads up the Hall of Terror. “We are really looking forward to another year of putting on a great show and providing some great scares to the community.”
Beating the Crowds / Sensory Accommodations
Lines are expected to grow as long as ever for the 2025 edition of the Hall of Terror, and so residents this year have the ability to shorten the wait time for themselves. Each day from October 20th to 24th, the City of Palm Coast will post trivia questions about Friday the 13th to its official Facebook page. Those who answer correctly will be entered to win a fast pass through the line.
Those who participate in the Hall of Terror can expect strobe lights, smoke, loud music and sound effects among other things in the attraction. Those with sensory concerns or sensitivities are invited to go on a special, modified walk-through from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm each night, the city government says.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
