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Whidbey Xtra! WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 | Vol. 1, No. 25 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | FREE
Central Whidbey barn opens for Halloween frights By RON NEWBERRY Staff reporter
When Dale Sherman slides open the door of a rustic old barn, a musty scent immediately fills the nostrils. It’s a creepy old place, for sure, with dusty cobwebs galore, hooks and ropes that dangle from the rafters and a large hole in the floor covered by loose boards. All things considered, it is the ideal site for the “Haunted Barn” attraction that is part of “The Haunting of Coupeville” this month. Sherman’s Pioneer Farm on Ebey Road has been home to pumpkin patches, trolley rides and other kids’ activities for years. But this is the first time that the historic Terry Barn on the property is being converted into a “Haunted Barn.” And it was clear from a quick tour of the 19th century structure that few props will be required to elicit a scare. The original portion of the barn dates back to 1855, according to Sherman. It was once owned by Charles
Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times
Central Whidbey squash farmer Dale Sherman is converting a 19th century barn on his property to be used as a ‘Haunted Barn.’ He’s getting help from his family and the Coupeville High tennis team. ‘I’m going to pretend that I have something to do,’ he said. Terry, who passed the farm down to his son-in-law Ben Tufts, who built on to the structure. Tufts sold the farm in
1956 to Edwin Sherman, Dale’s father, who started a successful Hubbard squash business and used the barn for storing squash.
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That practice mostly ended on the family farm in the 1990s when two more modern barns were built specifically designed
to store squash, relegating the historic barn to general storage of farming equipment and packing materials.
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Until now. The Coupeville High School tennis team has stepped up to lead the Haunted Barn project, with help from the Sherman family and others in the community. There will be a scarier Haunted Barn for adults and older teens held from 6-10 p.m. on Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31. Admission is $10. A family-friendly version will take place from 3-6 p.m. Oct. 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29. Tickets are $5 with children under 12 admitted for free. Dale Sherman wasn’t sure if he’d be part of the frightening cast. “I hope not. I probably will be,” he said. “I’m sure that daughter Shannon and wife Liz will get me in there somehow, but I hope not. I’m going to pretend that I have something to do.” Also, this Friday and Saturday night only, Oct. 23-24, Fort Casey State Park is hosting the “Haunted Fort” from 6:30-10:30 p.m. The event starts at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. Admission is $7 per person or $25 per family.