Corey Ringseth, creator and organizer of Haunted House Yuba City, stands outside his home on Pelican Place where he has constructed this year’s haunted attraction, “Blood Harvest.” Ringseth and a small team of family and friends spend nearly two months building and decorating the immersive, story-driven haunt.

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - Now in its third year, a homemade haunted house on Pelican Place in Yuba City is quickly gaining a reputation for its craftsmanship, scares and immersive storytelling. Last year, organizers estimated having roughly 800 visitors per night, with lines stretching around the block.

To help manage the growing crowds, homeowner and creator Corey Ringseth has implemented a new queue system in his front yard to keep streets clear and visitors safe.

“We’re really urging people to stay out of the road for safety purposes,” Ringseth said. “There’s a lot of cars that come down the street and we don’t want anybody running out and getting hurt.”

Ringseth’s attention to detail is apparent even before guests step inside. Drawing inspiration from Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, he approaches each build like a cinematic experience.

“I want people to feel immersed in a world, like they could actually be somewhere,” Ringseth said.

A snarling wolf prop and a trio of jack-o’-lanterns greet guests in the queue line of Haunted House Yuba City’s “Blood Harvest,” a free community haunt that transforms Ringseth’s property into a cinematic horror experience.

Gesturing to a crate of dusty knick-knacks, Ringseth added, “This by itself isn’t scary, but it fills the spot. It puts someone in the space — it immerses them into thinking they’re actually in a story world I’m trying to tell.”

That “story world” is exactly what guests will step into this year with the theme “Blood Harvest.” Centered on the same rustic, weathered aesthetic of the original “Farmhouse” design, the attraction takes visitors into the dark heart of a mysterious cult rumored to abduct townspeople each Halloween for blood rituals said to grant eternal youth. When curious friends set out to uncover the truth, they find themselves trapped inside the cult’s eerie compound — and must escape before they become part of the Blood Harvest.

“The story just kind of came to me,” said Ringseth, an avid D&D player. “Last year was ‘Farmhouse,’ so you’ll still see a lot of burlap, wood textures — everything you’d find on a farm.”

Throughout the year, Ringseth scavenges materials and repurposes found objects for his designs. A roll of landscape fabric might become peeling skin, while scrap wood transforms into eerie fencing or weathered crucifixes.

“We try to go bigger and better every year — whether that’s props, design, or scares,” Ringseth said. “Sometimes we don’t know what that means until the season is over. We see what works best and improve on that.”

Ringseth’s passion for haunts began in childhood, helping his mom decorate their front porch before expanding to the garage, drivewayand even the neighbors’ yard.

“When I was in high school, we had like 13 different rooms — it was this big haunted house we only did on Halloween night,” Ringseth recalled.

The front yard of Corey Ringseth’s home features part of the queue area leading to the entrance of “Blood Harvest,” designed to keep visitors safely off the street while setting the eerie mood with skeletal props, pumpkins, and rustic farm-inspired décor.

After taking a break during college and early adulthood, Ringseth rekindled his passion once he moved into his own home in Yuba City. Today, his haunted attraction takes about 8–10 weeks to build, spanning the driveway, garage and carport, with guests wandering from the “front parlor” through winding hallways and out into a spine-tingling back porch — culminating in what Ringseth jokingly calls “the world’s most terrifying bathroom.”

“One of the most time-consuming things is making sure to nail down and secure all the items so nothing wanders off or gets stolen,” Ringseth laughed.

The immersive operation is a family affair, with Ringseth’s wife Brittany co-organizing alongside a team of dedicated scare actors including Emma Ringseth, Gracy Mansur, Aylah Lee, Kailie Kosh and Kevin Naskrent.

This haunted event located at 441 Pelican Place in Yuba City will run from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17; Saturday, Oct. 18; Friday, Oct. 24; Saturday, Oct. 25; Sunday, Oct. 26; Thursday, Oct. 30; and Saturday, Nov. 1. The attraction will be closed on Halloween night, allowing organizers time to take their own kids trick or treating. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated to support future builds. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, and visitors are asked not to bring bags inside the haunt or run into the street. Drivers passing by are encouraged to slow down during operating hours.

“HHYC wants everyone to have a fun and safe time,” said Ringseth. “We really appreciate everyone who comes out to experience what we’ve created.”