For two weeks in late October, Martha’s Vineyard Screenprinting shuts down their normal operations to prepare for a distinctly different business venture: a haunted house.
Since 2019, co-owners Chris Maciel and Laura Petell have hosted the experience in their transformed storefront and warehouse, located at 426 State Road in Vineyard Haven.
“There’s nothing else like this going on,” Mr. Maciel said. “It gives the kids something to do besides trick or treating.”
The house includes separate experiences for kids and adults. From 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31, kids can explore a less scary, actor-free version of the haunted house. But starting at 7 p.m., nearly 20 actors bring the “Lights Out Horror” experience to life.
“We have people running and screaming all night long,” Mr. Maciel joked.
The premise may seem frightening, but Mr. Maciel says this is all a labor of love. Ms. Petell, Mr. Maciel and his sister, Sam Maciel, spend long days over the two weeks leading up to Halloween transforming the space into a haunted attraction.
The house includes multiple different rooms guests visit on their tour, with varying themes.
“There’s a seance room, butcher room, doll room and, of course, the circus tent where you enter,” Mr. Maciel said.
Though most of these themes return each year, Mr. Maciel revealed there is a new room the team came up with this year.
“The upside-down room is completely new,” he said. “I always wanted to have a room where we put everything up on the ceiling, but the logistics were tough. We finally figured it out.”
All proceeds from the haunted house benefit the Tisbury Fire Department, a cause close to the Maciel family.
Mr. Maciel’s father, Kenny Maciel, was a firefighter with the department and helped bring fellow firefighters on board as actors when the haunted house first opened.
“It’s easy to get people involved, because once they do it, they love it,” he said. “They always want to come back.”
A ghoulish party. – Ray Ewing 
Spooky spiders. – Ray Ewing 
A new thrill around every corner. – Ray Ewing 
Lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll’s eyes. – Ray Ewing 
Don’t have too much fun. – Ray Ewing 
A cobweb-covered labyrinth. – Ray Ewing 
Enter if you dare. – Ray Ewing 
Find your way through if you can. – Ray Ewing 
Meathook massacre. – Ray Ewing 
The upside-down seance room. – Ray Ewing 
Horror under the big top. – Ray Ewing 
A house of 1000 corpses. – Ray Ewing 
Enter the haunted circus tent. – Ray Ewing 
Chris Maciel, Sam Maciel and Laura Petel are the masterminds behind the scary show. – Ray Ewing 
A fun-loving team at heart. – Ray Ewing