When Josh Schauert moved to South Park seven years ago, he expected Halloween trick-or-treaters galore. Instead, two showed up and they were neighbors.

That disappointment sparked what has become one of San Diego County’s most elaborate free haunted attractions, South Park Horror House, drawing up to 800 visitors per night.

“Halloween has always been big to me, so I took it as a challenge to attract more trick-or-treaters,” Schauert said. “Growing up in South Lake Tahoe, there were certain areas where people went all out. I’ve always treasured those memories.”

Schauert’s mother, an avid horror fan and decorator, nurtured his imagination from an early age. His favorite Halloween costume was a character from the 1980s film “The Purple People Eater,” a furry alien from space.

“My mom made

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