Six Flags' Coffin Challenge Is Back For 2019 Fright Fest

JACKSON, NJ — Forget pumpkin spice, the true harbinger of fall has arrived: Six Flags Great Adventure has announced the return of Fright Fest, and with it, the return of the 30-Hour Coffin Challenge.

The 30-Hour Coffin Challenge drew more than 4,300 entries submitted from across the United States in 2018, and the event is returning, this time a little earlier during Fright Fest. The challenge will be held Oct. 13 and 14, and again six guests will be chosen to see if they can survive 30 hours in a coffin during Fright Fest for prizes and bragging rights.

Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on "The Munsters," is scheduled to join this year’s festivities as a guest emcee, park spokeswoman Kristin Fitzgerald said.

Leticia Gomez of Howell, who works as a funeral director, was the only New Jersey resident chosen as a contestant in the 2018 event. All six entrants claimed the prizes last year, which included Fright Fest passes, Gold Six Flags season passes and dining passes, Haunted Maze express passes, and cash. And their coffins, as a bonus. They spent 30 hours in the coffins, with 6-minute bathroom breaks each hour, limited cell phone usage, meals in their coffins and unannounced visits from the Fright Fest freaks.

Applications for the event open Sept. 9 on the Six Flags Great Adventure website. Individuals and pairs are welcome to apply, park officials said.

Fright Fest begins Friday, Sept. 13 and runs through Nov. 3 this year, with weekends and select other dates on weekdays. (Six Flags is still auditioning for Fright Fest zombies, with two more dates in September.)

Fright Fest includes the Thrills By Day with rides and family-friendly entertainment, and after dark, it’s Fright By Night with terrifying mazes, eerie scare zones, shows and rides in the dark.

Highlights this season:

Aftermath: Described as a "raw, post-apocalyptic world crawling with barbaric mutant scavengers," it has a new location in Metropolis and features new scares for 2019. Humans are charged with escaping this global catastrophe. Haunted maze pass required.

Dead Man’s Party’s 20th Anniversary Bash: Celebrate 20 years of Dr. Fright’s iconic song-and-dance spectacular. This rock concert-meets-Broadway-style live show features new mashups of old classics, eye-popping special effects including lasers and pyrotechnics and a dynamic cast. Included with park admission.

Blood Shed: "Mama welcomes you to her nightmarish farm of half-human, half animal mutants. They’re hungry for blood and gore and they’re hoping you’ll join them for dinner as the main course," is the park's description. Haunted maze pass required.

Professor Slithers Goes Wild! The professor returns with an all-new Halloween game show, it runs through Oct. 27. Included with park admission.

Scary-oke: Get the kids to sing their favorite Halloween hits in front of a live audience. Included with park admission.

The Trick-or-Treat Trail for kids 12 and under returns, along with the Arrival ghoul parade and the Awakening, the Demon District and Cell Block 6.

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