Brent Mielke, aka Zoo Man, has run a spooky exhibit and attractions out of the building at 145 E. Main St. in Sleepy Eye for a number years.

Now he is moving his props into the building’s cellar to create the Nightmare Underground, an exhibit that includes more than 3,000 Halloween props. In moving the exhibit to the building’s cellar, Mielke was able to create individual spaces for similar props. There is a mad scientist laboratory, section for pirate skeletons, werewolf lounge and a storage room for disembodied heads.

Once the Nightmare Underground is complete, Mielke hopes to keep the exhibit open beyond the Halloween season.

Mielke gave a brief tour of the Nightmare Underground on Saturday to give visitors a taste of what will be store later in the year. The tour also included the zoo programming. Kids were able to meet some of Mielke’s exotic animals including a massive Burmese python.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt From left, Brent Mielke “Zoo Man” Karin Barka, Miss Sleepy Eye Katelyn Rutscher, Krin Barka, Princess Natalie Presley, Greta Barka, Max Hall, Maverick Hall and Mayumi Hall all help hold a Burmese python as part of the Zoo Man’s Saturday program. Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Karin Barka received the privilege of pushing “Princess Emily” through part of Zoo Man’s Nightmare Underground exhibit. “Princess Emily” is a mascot for the horror themed attraction and Barka jumped at the honor of driving through the exhibits.

Guests at the sneak peek were also welcome to see the old Sleepy Eye Opera House on the second floor. He recently acquired the entire building, which included the historic second-floor opera house. The opera house was abandoned decades ago, but evidence of its past glory is still there.

Several fabric backdrops remain on stage. The ceiling artwork has not deteriorated. The walls backstage still contain the autographs of performers who played at the Opera House.

Mielke’s hope is to one day restore the former Opera House, but that is expected to take multiple money and substantial money. Initial estimates put the restoration at $830,000.

This is one of the reasons for the early sneak peak of Nightmare Underground. Mielke said he is looking to fund restoration through grants, donations and ghost tours. The Wacky World of Fun ghost tour and Nightmare Underground could help cover some of the costs.

Mielke said the first bit of restoration would be on the Opera House windows facing Main Street. Before this can begin, some of the materials inside the building will need to be removed. Previous owners of the Opera House used the banquet rooms for storage.

For more information on special day events, visit the Facebook page for “The Zoo Man’s Wacky World of Fun.”