The Rockingham Rescue Squad is gearing up for a spooky season with the 22nd anniversary of Jo Jo’s Haunted House. Located at the intersection of Battley Dairy Road and Freeman Mill Road in Hamlet, the house is sponsored by the Rescue Squad and promises some spectacularly frightening special effects this year.
On Sunday, a dedication ceremony was held at the Rescue Squad building in preparation of the Oct. 5 kickoff.
“A trailer was donated to us by Ron Mayo in order to sell food and different things for the public events we have,” said Mike Stokes, who has been in training and safety with the Rockingham Rescue Squad for seven years. “We’ll also use it for the haunted house. The trailer was painted by Bryan Hatcher and the decals were done by Ricky Bostick Signs.”
The new trailer will be used for fund-raising and to help raise support for the Rescue Squad.
“We can also use it in the event of searches and rescues,” said Chief Scott Waters. “We can use it to have somewhere to provide food or refreshments to those doing the search and rescue operation, but mainly to be out in the community for different events to promote our name.”
The trailer will be utilized at this year’s haunted house, Stokes said, which has seen dramatic growth since its founding in 1990.
“It began as a house on Robeson Street,” he said, “and has since grown into several rooms.” The house is operated on a volunteer basis and boasts many scary sights — including classic haunts like Jo Jo Smithwick, Richmond County’s most famous monster.
Tickets for Jo Jo’s Haunted House are $8 for adults and $5 for children, and proceeds will benefit the Rescue Squad.
For hours of operation and more information, visit the website at jojoshauntedhouse.com.
— Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.























