What: A spooky night

Where: “Castle of Fear,’’ 347 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill. Friday through Sunday in October. Recommended for ages 8 and older. 978-521-1686. www.winnekenni.com. Check out other haunts at www.hauntedhouse.com

It’s a dark and stormy night (really), and I am driving up a long, dark, and winding road to Winnekenni Castle. There’s no one in front of or behind us, and Elise is sure I have the wrong night. We get to the top of the hill and see a huge bonfire throwing light on the castle behind it.

To get to the “Castle of Fear’’ we walk along a tiki-torch-lined path and grab onto each other like conjoined twins - I’m a little behind Elise for protection (mine). We see no one inside but hear arguing behind a big wooden door. So, like a jerk, I knock. “Did you just knock on that door, Mom?’’ It opens, and the first of many characters dressed in black with lots of makeup and wild hair invites us in. EliseandI (remember, we’re conjoined) start screaming before a creepy guy jumps out near a table of skeletons: “I want your soul.’’ Wall pounding, screams (ours and theirs), more rooms filled with fake blood, body parts, and spooky spirits jumping out of nowhere, and we’re done in the castle.

Next is the “Dreaded Dragons Lair,’’ an enclosed collection of tall panels splattered with fluorescent paint and patterns that come to life with our 3-D glasses. More creepy characters, including a lady who says she can see our future - I stop to get some information, but Elise pulls me along.

Last Stop is “Killer Klown Lazer Katastrophe’’ where we get guns and instructions, and learn about the clown who is waiting to kill us. “I hate clowns. I really hate clowns. Ever since I saw that Stephen King movie, I never want to see a clown again,’’ says my clown-hating daughter. We pull the trigger a few times and see the clown at the end - he kills us both.

The “Howling Hayride of Horror’’ is canceled because of the rain (the nice lady in the ticket booth gives us rain checks), so we hang out for a few minutes with the friendly staff near the bonfire. Elise says it’s a great place to go with a bunch of friends (I don’t take it personally and give her my rain check). Your kids will get a kick out of the place, especially teens who will make fun of you, so what else is new?