"As part of the event, people who come also learn about the history of the project. It's part fun, part education so people can know the importance of what we are doing," Smith said.

The tour, which should last between 40 and 50 minutes, includes a trip through the spook-filled Granary that will consist of several scenes including a horror version of an Emeril Lagasse-like chef character.

State College resident Michelle Chernega, who has been involved with the Haunted Granary since its inception, will perform the character.

"It's going to be a goofy sort of nastiness," Chernega said, adding that the character seems to her to be a cross between Lagasse and Beetlejuice.

Chernega also noted that the event has a lot of personal significance for her.

"My daughter is going to have some trouble with a toaster and my son is going to be served up on a plate," she said.

"I don't live directly in Lemont but I do it because I love to be scared and to scare people. It may not be the best of times but I think people like to still be scared in a fun way."

Visitors also have the opportunity to visit a mad chiropractor, shop in a spooky store, and see a haunted graveyard as well as enjoy a performance from several witches, who are known for involving the audience.

"The witches are always a big hit and we expect them to continue to be, but last year we created a haunted school bus and the response was great," Smith said.

"It was amazing how scary it was for people. The bus is full of life-like dummies and under the seats are people hiding, scaring you by doing things like grabbing your ankles."

Smith does not recommend the event for anyone ages eight and younger; however, there will be a special tour geared for children from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. The cost is $1 per child and no charge for the accompanying adult.

"It's the same maze but the tour will be in the daylight and no one will be jumping out at you," Smith said. "Kids are really curious about what goes on behind-the-scenes and we wanted to give them an opportunity to attend."

With over 2,000 people visiting the event in the last several years, the Haunted Granary has become the most lucrative fund-raiser for the LVA.

"We raised $7,000 the first year and over $10,000 in each of the last two years," Smith said. "The LVA started out doing fund-raisers like plant sales and home and garden tours. We had a lot of money to raise and it became very frustrating because we could never raise very much money at a time."

The restoration project has already been granted $50,000 from the Knight Foundation but has until December to match that amount. On top of donations from local sources and other grants, the LVA still needs to raise $20,000.

While planning is occurring year-round for the event, there is more than 300 hours of rehearsal time that go into the two-day show.

"It takes up a lot of hours, but it's really fun," Smith said. "By Sunday we will be really wiped out but overall it's a great way for everyone in the community involved to get to know each other."

The LVA, however, does not go at it alone. There are more than 100 volunteers, including almost 70 young adults involved.

"It's really a lot of fun. It gives me a chance to do things I wouldn't get to do otherwise," said Lauren Purdum (junior-art), who has been involved in the event for the second year. "All of the kids come together and I help make them all bloody and yucky. This year I'm also going to be a witch, which sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun."

There are also several local businesses involved as well.

In its second year as a sponsor, WBUS-FM (93.7) provides more than monetary support for the event.

"It's a great project to be involved with," said Cathy Brown, the station's promotions director. "We can help directly target a family as well as a college-aged demographic but this event really benefits the whole community as well, which is the restoration of the Granary. The Bus is able to provide a great service but at the same time the money will go right back into the community."

For the first time this year, the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania is partnering with the LVA. Adorning the front of the building will be a giant mask commissioned by the Art Alliance. There will also be handmade masks and luminaries made from recycled materials on sale as well, with proceeds benefiting both groups.

"We had really wanted to support the event for sometime because it seemed like such a great thing," said Connie McGeorge, acting director for the Art Alliance. "The sale seemed like a great way to get our involvement off the ground and hopefully it will be successful enough to keep going."

There will also be a pumpkin-carving contest with prizes in five categories. Entries must be on the wall surrounding the Granary by 4 p.m. today. Food and hot beverages will also be served.

Tickets are $5 and are available only at the door. Free buses will run from the corner of College Avenue and Allen Street as well as from the corner of Allen Street and Beaver Avenue. Parking and free shuttles will be available at the Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church on East Branch Road.