A ‘frightening’ family tradition; Abilene haunted house open to all one night only

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – For the past five years, one Abilene family has made it their sacred mission to bring to life all that which goes bump in the night. Shannon Martinez and her daughter, Alayshia Offley, are continuing their family tradition of hosting a free, open-to-all haunted house on Halloween night. This year, the theme is a bewitching bait shop filled with frightening fisherman’s decor and all other sorts of diabolical delights.

“I always do it big, even when we’re in Vegas and Louisiana and Germany and Japan. And I’ve always done it big,” said Martinez.

As a military family, they’ve traveled around throughout the years. But that never stopped them from bringing the fear each Halloween season.

“We’re spooky, I guess…It’s gonna be doing it when I get my own stuff,” Offley said.

Martinez wasn’t able to figure out exactly how much she’s spent on Halloween decor over the years, aside from knowing it’s “a lot”. However, she said it’s all worth it to continue her parents’ tradition and hear those screams of joy on All Hallows Night. Offley said it was fun to grow up in a Halloween family, adding that it has given them a shared hobby that has made them who they are today.

“365 days a year, my living room is a scary movie themed. My kids love it. Like, it’s pretty amazing, actually. And it just brings us closer together, building all this stuff, like getting through the months, you know what I mean? It’s really cool,” said Offley.

Planning for next year’s haunt has already begun, but this year is far from over. The house is located at 7517 Olive Grove Avenue, just south of Abilene. They will be welcoming trick-or-treaters all night on Halloween.