Staff photo by Fritz Busch This heart-wrenching surgeon can be found at the “Halls of Horror” that presents “The Backwoods Institution,” 6 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 1011 Lower Wallachei Lane. This the third year of the free haunted house and the best one yet, say its founders. See more photos on 6B

NEW ULM — Some children were so spooked at a free haunted house this weekend, they ran away before going in, after watching a two-minute trailer produced by two friends.

Sometimes, kids slowly walked back towards a large garage that contains “Halls of Horror Haunted House, The Backwoods Institution.”

It’s got it all — spooky music, bright, colored lights, and a dozen high school student “scarers” dressed to spook you on a winding path through a haunted garage.

In their third year of production, Kaleb Kirchberg of New Ulm and Cathedral High School junior Kyle Goblirsch began working on the project in July. Sometimes, they worked eight hours a day, painting, building wooden walls, doors and divider panels.

Herberger’s going out of business sale was a boon for the guys. It enabled them to get a number of free and low-cost items. The guys made many of the props themselves.

On Friday night, about 160 people toured the haunted house. Last year, about 500 people toured the venue.

“They just do it for fun,” said Stacy Goblirsch, Kyle’s mom.

“I think it’s great for the community. It’s a lot to fun to create this,” Kyle said. “We looked at a lot of other haunted houses for ideas.”

Posts on youtube, funtvkids.com and agamefun.com can be found at “Halls of Horror Haunted House: The Backwoods Institution-New Ulm, Mn.”

For the trailer, search “Halls of Horror New Ulm.”

Halls of Horror will be open to the public at no charge at 1011 Lower Wallachei Lane, 6 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 31.