EATONTON, Ga. — If you're looking for something a little different to do with your sweetheart for Valentine's Day, you might consider heading to a haunted prison.
Lake Joy Trails of Terror is hosting a Valentine's Day haunted house on Friday and Saturday at the old state prison in Putnam County.
Usually known for their Halloween haunted trail in Kathleen, this is the second year the company is doing something for Valentine's Day and the first time at a new location.
"My daughter found the location for us here in Eatonton... we always wanted to do a haunt here with the colleges close by, wanted to bring something to the Eatonton, Milledgeville area that hasn't been here before," owner Mike Kelly said.
This year's theme is 'Cupid's Hell.'
"You can still hear the screams behind the walls of this 65-year-old prison... that's kind of our concept that we went with this year," Kelly said.
He said they had a limited amount of time to transform the old prison, which he says is often used for TV and film shoots.
"Well challenges, yes. New location, 30 days to get the haunt together, the Valentine's haunt, first indoor haunt we did," Kelly said. "Last 10 years, we've done Lake Joy Trails of Terror outdoor in the woods. This one here is inside, completely different style build."
Kelly and his team build their haunted houses from the ground up, utilizing lasers, fog machines, props, and actors to create the desired effects they want.
He said they usually advertise on the radio for their events, but this year they went big, renting out several billboards in Eatonton.
But creating horrifying experiences isn't just what Kelly and his team have been up to these days.
They attended a convention this month in Atlanta called 'Days of the Dead,' and Kelly said it allowed them to connect with other people in the industry.
Kelly invites everyone out that just wants to do something different for Valentine's Day.
"We have two food trucks, a live DJ, like I said, it's a different twist than your normal Valentine's," he said.
He said they hope to continue to use the prison for future events.
Cupid's Hell is open Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets start at $20 per person, and ticket booths open at 6 p.m. Kelly recommends you buy tickets online. Click here to do that.
The prison is located on 107 South Forrest Street in Eatonton, and you can follow Lake Joy Trails of Terror on Facebook.
Photos: Lake Joy Trails of Terror at the old Putnam State Prison
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