THE RIVER HAUNT TO OPEN THIS WEEKEND
September 30, 2021, Batesville, Ark. — Main Street Batesville will once again be hosting the haunted house “The River Haunt”. The organization challenges everyone to survive the 10,000 plus square feet of twisted terror! The River Haunt opens the gate to all prey Oct 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, and Halloween Night at 7 p.m. on the banks of White River, at 570 Stadium Drive in Batesville, Ark. Tickets at the door are $12 per head or $17 per head for Skip-the-Line passes. Reservations may be made online at mainstreetbatesville.org. This year’s haunted house is presented by Merchants & Planters Bank.
Covid precautions include mask requirements for patrons and haunters, hand sanitizing, sanitizing of the haunt before opening and between weekends, and disinfecting between groups.
The River Haunt team has spent the last 10 months preparing for guests and completely changing every room. Suzanne Magouyrk, co-coordinator says, “If you’ve come to The River Haunt in previous years, come again because every room has new horror added. Most of the rooms are completely different than last year”.
Reservations for groups of younger guests can be made for October 31 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at a reduced rate. These reservation can be requested by emailing theriverhaunt@gmail.com
The River Haunt, owned and operated as a fundraiser for Main Street Batesville, is anxiously awaiting new blood for in Year VI…….. where your screams are never heard …
This fundraiser is also sponsored by FutureFuel, Walmart of Batesville, River City Print & Office, Carpet Corner, Hance Dental and White River Veterinary Clinic.
CONTACT:
Suzanne Magouyrk
870-613-3836
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew serves on the Arkansas Travel Council Board of Directors, is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current publicity chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.