The Lab had a brief four season stint, but in that time it exploded onto the scene with splashy, full-page advertisements inside the Fear Finder and quickly established a brand that is remembered fondly to this day.
Opened in 2006, located on the island of Grosse Ile, The Lab operated out of an interesting building that was well-served as a haunted attraction. One year prior to being re-christened The Lab, this same location was home to a one-off haunted house called The Chop Shop. Prior to that, it existed under the name G.I.Y.R.A — which was an acronym for Grosse Ile Youth Recreation Association, a non-profit that operated an annual haunted house fundraiser for many years, if not decades.
I attended the G.I.Y.R.A production in 2004 and then returned in 2005 for The Chop Shop which got off to a rollicking start when a dirtball character pulled a used tampon from a toilet and began ferociously tongue-bathing the damp cotton before turning to proclaim, “This? Your mother’s.” My brother and I still laugh about that scene to this day.
With the introduction of The Lab, the sets and props were completed overhauled, although the basic maze did stay intact, the overall production value was significantly upgraded. The attraction began with a fun, introductory video that featured a concerned scientist, and before entrance, guests were issued security badges from Gen-Tech Laboratories. This, combined with lively actors, oversized puppets, and immersive scenery created an energetic and interactive environment.
Interested parties can read detailed reviews of The Lab from 2007 and 2009 with the links below:
From 2007, Downriver Haunt Review also includes recollections from Scream Machine and Hell’s Hospital, the Wyandotte Jaycees offering that season.
From 2009, I remark on the many, positive changes featured at The Lab. Also reviewed in this entry was Scream Machine and Extreme Scream, both located in Taylor, Michigan.
Trio of Downriver Haunts Sparks Season
Sadly, The Lab abruptly ceased operation following the 2009 season. The building that housed the attraction, and so many others before it, still exists and continues to be utilized for organized sports by the aforementioned Grosse Ile Youth Recreation Association. The owners of The Lab would go on to another haunt venture when they purchased Pinckney’s Terrorfied Forest and Manor in 2018.
