A scary Saturday awaits children who dare enter the Ridgewood Red Cross's Haunted House.

Well, kinda, event organizer Rebecca Harper says. 

"We're aiming for it to be fun," she says. "If it spooks people, great."

The village's Red Cross—located on Godwin Avenue, next to the Whole Foods—presents its first haunted house today from noon to 3 p.m. Aimed at children ages four to eight, the haunted house is staged by area teens. 

"The kids put together press releases, made signs—pretty much the kids are in charge, and I oversee things," said Harper, 31, from Glen Rock.

An education student at Montclair University, Harper is the Ridgewood chapter's youth volunteer coordinator.

She'll also double as Minnie Mouse for the Halloween tour.

Starting at the front door, a costumed tour guide will lead the kids into a darkened chamber with scary music and ghastly ghouls. Next, visitors will pass to a portioned room. On one side, a gloomy graveyard awaits. On the other, dressed up students from William Patterson University will offer historic information about whom they are imitating.

Other stops include a fortuneteller and a pumpkin patch. Also, a reception area with goodies concludes the trail.

Designed by the student volunteers, the haunted house is funded partially by the Red Cross and also through donors. Many costumes and props were given to the nonprofit.
"I'm excited and nervous. They've put in a lot of hard work, and I'm proud of them," Harper says.
Outside of the Halloween fun, Harper says the haunted house a good way for the village to get involved and find out about the Red Cross. In her program, there are about 25 volunteers from throughout Bergen County—there are seven village teens, she says. She herself is a volunteer.
Parents looking for a midday event prior to trick-or-treating are encouraged to bring their costumed kids to the Red Cross today. There is a $3 suggested donation.