SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Where history meets mystery, San Jose’s Winchester Mystery House held their grand opening on Friday for Festival Fright Nights.
This year’s experience is set in 1924, two years after the death of homeowner, Sarah Winchester. The new owner is in town throwing a masquerade night.
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Director of Special Projects Brett Bertolino with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group said what makes this year so special – activating the entire property for the theme.
“It’s a linear Halloween festival that goes inside the mansion, the outbuildings, the grounds, and really activates this entire property in an immersive way.”
Guests can begin their journey through the historic Victorian mansion with a cocktail.
FROM THE ARCHIVE: Ernie, Debbie and their ghosts at Winchester Mystery House in San Jose in 1983
The labryrinthine estate is 160 rooms, some of the staircases lead to ceilings and some of the doors open to walls.
Watsonville resident Chelsea Celaya was all smiles.
“I’m dressed as Elvira, mistress of the dark pretty iconic in an iconic place for San Jose,” Celaya said.
Celaya was impressed by the attractions.
“It was like, ‘oh my gosh,’ there’s going to be something at every corner, there still were some really good scares but I was like ‘oh ok, it’s still something a scaredy cat like me can handle’,” Celaya said.
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Tickets range from $50-$90.
Manteca resident Courtney Rodenborn was spot on the 1920’s them with her dress and her purse she made. Rodenborn comes to the mansion every year for Halloween, a time she says where it’s even more magical.
“I feel like this place is just so rich with a story that if you take the time to learn about it, learn about Sarah, learn about the people who worked this place, the way San Jose became San Jose because of this incredible woman it’s an amazing experience to have just in that,” Rodenborn said.
Festival Fright Nights at the Winchester Mystery House runs through November 1.
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