Danger Run
Encyclopedia
The Danger Run is a Halloween driving game played in a car. Participants are given a book of cryptic directions written as 5-line limerick
clues. Clues are solved and are used as directions for participants to find their way to selected locations that participate on the Danger Run, which are usually two haunted attraction
s. The object of this game is for participants to precisely decipher the clues and drive the course exactly as it was designed to accumulate the actual mileage to complete the course (within 1/10th of a mile). Those that accumulate the exact mileage will then compete in a final competition and the winners of the finals win some form of prize. For example, a cash prize or some kind of Danger Run regalia.
into the event. It was also the first ghost run to create clues out of rhyming limericks. This clue writing style was inspired by the television show the Andy Griffith Show.
An example of a limerick is:
"But back on track we quickly got
And apologized that we had fought,
"Oh how I love you honey,
Now let's get back in the money."
So when driving back corners I did chop"
During the first season, Danger Run had an attendance of 2,000 people. Then in 1995, the Danger Run expanded to two starting locations in the Louisville, KY area. In addition to the Clarksville location, Danger Run offered a starting location on Dixie Hwy in Louisville. Attendance in 1995 jumped to over 5,000 people.
In 1996, the Danger Run expanded again to a third location. A location was opened at Bigg’s Hypermarket in Middletown, KY. Danger Run attendance jumped to more than 10,000 people that year.
By 1997, the ghost runs that originally inspired the idea of Danger Run were all gone. The Danger Run had become the only ghost run in existence. The Danger Run was then bought from Joseph Bulleit by the Nightmare Network. It operated under this umbrella company for 12 years.
In the 2005 season, the Danger Run expanded to open a second attraction called Nightmare Run. Nightmare Run was also a ghost run, but written in a different style. However, upon the occurrence of Hurricane Katrina gas prices skyrocketed. This caused a major decrease in participation of Danger Run. So for the first time, in 2006 Danger Run closed its doors to find a solution to the problem caused by Hurricane Katrina and in 2007 Danger Run opened back up after reinventing itself. The Danger Run would now offer free gasoline for groups of four or more.
Then in 2009, Joseph Bulleit along with Michael Kimzey and Michael Book purchased the Danger Run from the Nightmare Network. While Joseph was the original owner, both Michael Kimzey and Michael Book had worked for Nightmare Network to produce the Danger Run year after year. The once big powerhouse of the Louisville haunt industry, Nightmare Network, no longer existed.
To this day, the Danger Run still operates with three starting points, using 5-line limerick style clues and includes admission to two stand-alone commercial haunted attractions. In addition, the Danger Run has corporate sponsorships through Dairy Queen, Domino’s Pizza, Lowe’s and Speedway.
Limerick (poetry)
A limerick is a kind of a witty, humorous, or nonsense poem, especially one in five-line or meter with a strict rhyme scheme , which is sometimes obscene with humorous intent. The form can be found in England as of the early years of the 18th century...
clues. Clues are solved and are used as directions for participants to find their way to selected locations that participate on the Danger Run, which are usually two haunted attraction
Haunted attraction
A haunted attraction is a form of entertainment that simulates the experience of entering a haunted location that might be inhabited by ghosts, monsters, criminals, humorous characters, and other such creatures...
s. The object of this game is for participants to precisely decipher the clues and drive the course exactly as it was designed to accumulate the actual mileage to complete the course (within 1/10th of a mile). Those that accumulate the exact mileage will then compete in a final competition and the winners of the finals win some form of prize. For example, a cash prize or some kind of Danger Run regalia.
History
The Danger Run was founded in 1994 in Louisville, KY by Joseph Bulleit. The Danger Run was the first ghost run to incorporate a major haunted houseHaunted house
A haunted house is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were familiar with the property...
into the event. It was also the first ghost run to create clues out of rhyming limericks. This clue writing style was inspired by the television show the Andy Griffith Show.
An example of a limerick is:
"But back on track we quickly got
And apologized that we had fought,
"Oh how I love you honey,
Now let's get back in the money."
So when driving back corners I did chop"
During the first season, Danger Run had an attendance of 2,000 people. Then in 1995, the Danger Run expanded to two starting locations in the Louisville, KY area. In addition to the Clarksville location, Danger Run offered a starting location on Dixie Hwy in Louisville. Attendance in 1995 jumped to over 5,000 people.
In 1996, the Danger Run expanded again to a third location. A location was opened at Bigg’s Hypermarket in Middletown, KY. Danger Run attendance jumped to more than 10,000 people that year.
By 1997, the ghost runs that originally inspired the idea of Danger Run were all gone. The Danger Run had become the only ghost run in existence. The Danger Run was then bought from Joseph Bulleit by the Nightmare Network. It operated under this umbrella company for 12 years.
In the 2005 season, the Danger Run expanded to open a second attraction called Nightmare Run. Nightmare Run was also a ghost run, but written in a different style. However, upon the occurrence of Hurricane Katrina gas prices skyrocketed. This caused a major decrease in participation of Danger Run. So for the first time, in 2006 Danger Run closed its doors to find a solution to the problem caused by Hurricane Katrina and in 2007 Danger Run opened back up after reinventing itself. The Danger Run would now offer free gasoline for groups of four or more.
Then in 2009, Joseph Bulleit along with Michael Kimzey and Michael Book purchased the Danger Run from the Nightmare Network. While Joseph was the original owner, both Michael Kimzey and Michael Book had worked for Nightmare Network to produce the Danger Run year after year. The once big powerhouse of the Louisville haunt industry, Nightmare Network, no longer existed.
To this day, the Danger Run still operates with three starting points, using 5-line limerick style clues and includes admission to two stand-alone commercial haunted attractions. In addition, the Danger Run has corporate sponsorships through Dairy Queen, Domino’s Pizza, Lowe’s and Speedway.