Gila Valley residents didn't have to travel far to be frightened this Halloween because Safford residents Ed and Josi Lopez transformed their 101-year-old home into a haunted house.

As frightening as the house and grounds were, however, the event served a higher purpose as attendees were charged a nominal admission fee and optional can or nonperishable food item. Proceeds from the house were donated to the students in the criminology department at the Eastern Arizona College, and the food was donated to local churches and food banks, according to Josi.

The home, located on Highway 191 near Main Street in Safford, was filled with Halloween gadgets and included an Egyptian room, a headless bride, a gore-filled kitchen and many other surprises. The house and grounds were literally littered with hundreds of Halloween-type memorabilia.

Josi Lopez pauses from running her family's haunted house to hang out with one of their many animatronic characters. Photo by Jon Johnson

Outside, tour guides led groups through a tombstone-laden front yard to the haunted wooded area in back, where numerous animatronics, live ghouls and other cretins were ready to strike terror into all who dared enter. While there were a lot of animatronics, plenty of the ghoulish creations, including a hearse, statue of a gargoyle and others, were made by the Lopez family themselves.

The haunted house is a family affair that was started last year to celebrate their house turning 100 years old. Last year was a private party, but because the family took so much time and effort to transform their home, they decided to open it up to the public.

Volunteers were integral to the success of the haunted house, and they performed numerous jobs, including security, performers and tour guides. Josi thanked all those who participated in the haunted house and hoped everyone who attended had a good time.