Trick-or-treaters looking for a good scare should brace themselves for the haunted house at Emmanuel Nursing Home from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Each Halloween, the haunted house welcomes hundreds of children and adults to wind their way through an elaborately decorated haunted house, featuring spooky themes like spiders, bats, witches, ghosts and graveyards, said Liz Andersen, director of life enrichment at Emmanuel Home. Creepy music, black lights, props and live actors add to the experience.

“It is a scary experience, especially with all the lights off,” she said.

New this year is a pirate-themed hallway, featuring Augustana Homes Administrator John Boughton in full pirate garb.

Andersen said the haunted house tradition began years ago on the main floor of the nursing home and has since expanded into the basement. Last year, about 600 people went through the haunted house. Staff began decorating the space Oct. 15 with help from a local Girl Scouts troop.

Andersen recommended visitors come in costume, as residents will be handing out donated candy.

Admission is free, but Emmanuel Home staff will be collecting donations for the Meeker County Food Shelf.