A U.S. Coast Guard cutter docked in Homer became a creepy attraction this week, as its crew transformed the vessel into a floating haunted house.
Hundreds of people lined the dock Wednesday beside the “Haunted Aspen,” waiting to explore the transformed 225-foot cutter. Attendees crossed a ramp leading onto the vessel – which was specially decorated for anyone brave enough to come aboard.
Among the growing line of families were excited children, anxiously waiting for their turn through the ship. Randi Madsen brought along her three children Ryder, Sargent and Pulaska, who were looking forward to being frightened.
“I hope to see some small children kind of be terrified to continue going on, but being forced to,” Madsen said.
Once inside, visitors followed a winding route through the Aspen, encountering themed areas like the doll house and haunted crew on the deck. The crew organized separate tours for younger children earlier in the evening, keeping the lights on and the scares minimal. The later tours offered a darker, more intense experience.
The event began more than 30 years ago, in 1991, aboard the cutter Sedge. It was later continued by the cutter Hickory until 2019, when the pandemic brought it to a halt. Coast Guard Lt. Adam Wilhelm, the executive officer aboard the Aspen, said the crew decided to revive the haunted ship after hearing from locals who missed it.
“We just got it by word of mouth from the town and how much it would mean to bring it back, and we’ve gotten a lot of really positive responses,” Wilhelm said. “People are very happy to see it back, and we’re really happy that we could make this happen for the community.”
The event also served as a food drive for the Homer Food Pantry, with attendees asked to bring a canned food item as admission and help support the pantry’s weekly service to around 160 people.
Sage Anderson is a board member for the pantry.
“I remember going and enjoying as a kid, and then taking my kids as well, and enjoying, though it hasn’t been done for a number of years now,” Anderson said. “And I think it’s a great way that the Coast Guard is kind of giving back to the community and providing this awesome event as well as an opportunity for the food pantry to collect lots of cans.”
The “Haunted Aspen” event was just one of several spooky activities in Homer leading up to Halloween night – one that the cutter’s crew is excited to continue in the future.
