STILLMAN ROAD resident Carl Rugato has launched Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest in Charlestown’s Hood Park, 10 Stack St., this year. (Courtesy Photo)

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Stillman Road resident Carl Rugato has taken his love of Halloween, haunted houses and scary movies to the next level.

Rugato, who graduated from Lynnfield High School in 2010, previously transformed his parents’ house into a massive Halloween display each October for a decade. He switched gears this year and has launched a new venture called Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest in Charlestown’s Hood Park, 10 Stack St.

“With a variety of state-of-the-art theatrical elements, Wicked Haunt Fest is going to impress even the most discerning Halloween enthusiasts,” said Rugato, who serves as Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest’s creative director. “From intricate set designs and professional scare actors to state-of-the-art animatronics and immersive lighting, every aspect of the spirited experiences has been crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail. Visitors can expect to be transported to a fully realized festive world. Wicked Haunt Fest is poised to redefine what a Halloween event can be, setting a new standard for immersive, high-production value haunts in Boston and beyond.”

Rugato said the festival features three “Hollywood-caliber haunted experiences, each with its own distinct storyline and theme.”

“Each haunt will feature detailed pre-entry facades setting the scene before visitors step inside the walk-through enclosures, filled with 16-foot towering animatronics, atmospheric scare actors and terrifying scares,” said Rugato.

Rugato said Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest includes “four different walk-through experiences,” including “Harvest Awakening.”

“Visitors can brave the ‘Harvest Awakening,’ where the once thriving farm has become a nightmarish place where tainted pumpkins, emitting an eerie glow, come to life with malevolent intent,” said Rugato.

Rugato said “Rise of Annkh” is an Egyptian tomb-inspired haunt that allows attendees to get spooked by “the vengeful Pharaoh and his mummified servants” after they have been unleashed by a group of archaeologists.

The Stillman Road resident said the “Into the Astray” haunt gives attendees the opportunity to explore “a shadowy realm where the boundary between the living and supernatural dissolves.” He said “The Graveyard” walk-through features over 150 themed tombstones and a 1800s hearse.

“Beyond the haunts, Wicked Haunt Fest will offer a variety of daytime activities and attractions perfect for the whole family,” said Rugato. “Guests can enjoy an Oktoberfest-style beer garden, two themed walk-up bars inspired by prehistoric creatures and classic movie monsters, a diverse selection of festive seasonal food from some of Boston’s best restaurants and a variety of vendor booths for shopping.”

Rugato also said Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest will offer pumpkin painting, face painting, mock trick-or-treating and more.

“We built a festival grounds on a two-acre lot in Charlestown,” said Rugato.

After decorating his parents’ front yard with Halloween decorations for the last time last year, Rugato said he wanted to take his love of haunted houses to the next level. He found the two-acre lot that is home to Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest last November.

“I stood in this big empty lot last November, looked around and said we can do some really cool things if we rent this space,” said Rugato. “I kind of drew it in my head as I stood in the center of the property. It took a really long time to get everything situated, ordered, designed and engineered. It has been extremely fast-spaced and I couldn’t have done it without my all-star team. They are the best that they do in every aspect.”

Rugato noted that his company, Rugato FX Entertainment, has expanded.

“A lot of people who work in movies work with us too,” said Rugato. “When I say these sets are movie quality, I 100 percent mean it. When you walk-through ‘Rise of Annkh,’ you feel like you are in an Egyptian tomb. When we you walk-through ‘Harvest Awakening,’ you feel like you are in a cornfield. It is incredible.”

Rugato’s home became a Halloween destination after it got decorated each October. He said the community has been very supportive of the Wicked Haunt Fest venture.

“The community has been nothing but supportive,” said Rugato. “When we first brought this to their attention months ago, they were very excited and couldn’t wait for the doors to open. Ticket sales are going well. I think everyone is going to be very impressed.”

Rugato said his goal for Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest is to “entertain people.”

“I hope to offer an escape from regular day life so that people can be a kid again,” said Rugato. “It’s going to be a wicked awesome time.”

Rugato said Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest runs through Sunday, Nov. 3. If residents want to purchase tickets, they can visit https://www.bostonswickedhauntfest.com/.

After Wicked Haunt Fest closes in early November, Rugato said the property is going to be turned into a winter festival.

“That will open after Thanksgiving,” said Rugato.

In addition to graduating from Lynnfield High School as a member of the Class of 2010, Rugato received a bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre and Design from High Point University. He previously worked at Busch Gardens, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and Feld Entertainment, where he worked on “Marvel Universe Live,” “Age of Heroes” and “Jurassic World Live.”