Halloween 2012: Urbandale's Zombie Hollow Frightens For Good Cause

Lew Jordan's backyard is hauntingly unlike any other in Urbandale.

Starting with the zombie cemetery, through the garage and past the state's smallest corn maze awaits a zombie pirate ship battle scene like none you've ever seen.

But, Zombie Hollow, 3109 Pine Circle, isn't your typical Halloween fright fest.

The creation of Jordan and friend Jason Kemp combines the undead with friendly fun for a good cause.

"There's no blood, guts or gore," Jordan said of his one of a kind attraction. "No one will grab you, there's no chainsaw."

The production includes homemade, or heavily modified, animatronics and props that Jordan and Kemp have created in Jordan's garage.

Each year, the Zombie Hollow production of the un-dead, ghosts and other creepy beings grows by leaps and bounds.

This year's Zombie Hollow comes complete with a zombie pirate ship - invoking a scene similar to the "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Jordan, who started his first haunted house in fifth grade in Winterset with his brother, said the backyard will be transformed into the island of Tortuga, complete with a battle scene.

"It's a scene similar to Disney's 'Haunted Mansion'," he said. "It's scary, but not terrifying."

The permanent ship, which functions as a playhouse/swing set, is something Jordan and Kemp have worked on since last November. The work included an overhaul of the backyard to add limestone walkways and landscaping, plus a small pond.

And it's all free for you to visit Friday, Saturday or Tuesday.

For the second year, the Halloween enthusiasts and veterans will be accepting free-will donations for the Sentinels of Freedom.

The non-profit organization helps severely wounded military personnel from recent conflicts to become self-sufficient through life scholarships and community involvement.

"They get the community involved to mentor and help," Jordan said. "They have to have a goal, like to go to school for a degree. The organization and community get behind them, but it takes the community to make sure they don't fail."

Jordan said that while the organization isn't in Iowa yet, he and Kemp have laid the groundwork for it to begin.

Last year, the lifelong friends didn't have a fundraising goal, but managed to collect $645 from about 400 visitors to Zombie Hollow.

This year the men hope to raise $2,000 for the charity and attract more than 1,000 people to the yard haunt.

"We're just glad to raise money for a worthy cause," Jordan said.

As for Jordan's neighbors, he said they've embraced his Halloween spirit.

"The neighbors next door never used to decorate for Halloween, now they have started," he said. "Everybody loves it, one man came down and went home and got his whole cul-de-sac to visit."

It's that community spirit that keeps Jordan and Kemp going each year.

"It's the only holiday the community comes together," he said of community trick-or-treating. "You see everyone come out of their houses together."

Zombie Hollow is open to the public from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30.

"It's more of a Halloween experience," Jordan said. "We're not here to scare the crap out of kids."

The weather is supposed to be clear and cool for Halloween weekend, but if it's not, Jordan suggests you check his website or Facebook page to see if the haunt is still on.