Origins: The Curse Of Calico

This haunt is better when there is a line. Have gone a few times, when there is no line, you walk straight in, but when there is a line, there is an actor describing the plot to everyone in line, makes for a more immersion experience.

This is always one of the more memorable mazes for me for some reason, after coming to Knott’s Scary Farm for a few years in a row now. Maybe it just matches the theme of the area in the park the best, so it seems well suited for it. Not my favorite theme, but certainly a clear story being told and a more memorable line experience than any of the others. I like that they actually explain the story a little bit while you are in line, with a person calling for the hanging of Sarah Marshall.

Prepare to be spooked. The Knott’s actors are waiting around every turn and know how to pop out at just the right moment to make you jump. The set design is highly detailed and designed for terror at Knott’s Scary Farm. A few cons: the mazes are all very loud with sound effects and music that do little to add to the ambience of fear but do make you want to get out quicker. There is high amount of gore in most of the mazes. We generally prefer haunts that rely on spine-chilling creepiness rather than ritual slaughter. But to each their own.

2023 was my first year at Scary Farm, so I don’t have the nostalgia that many long-time attendees have. I understand that this is a classic, but to me, it’s by far the most forgettable. Half of Knott’s is already themed like the old west, so you’re not getting any unique atmosphere by going inside. This had the longest wait, and was the only maze we didn’t do twice. To be honest, I don’t think we would have done it a second time even if there was no line. It’s not terrible, but there are so many better haunts at this event. Don’t waste your time here.

An absolute classic not only in its significance to the event, but in its storytelling and impressive set design. Talent is always on-point in bringing the story of Sarah Marshall and the cursed citizens of Calico to life.

As one of the older mazes, Origins still stands out as one of the best, offering a peek into the past at the source of all the madness happening at Knott's Scary Farm: the hanging of Sarah Marshall aka The Witch. The special effects remain impressive, and the climax at meeting the witch herself still sends a joyful chill down my spine.

Always a great maze, talent is on their game. Love that haunted shack is featured. Classic scares and a great build.

Origins has become one of my favorite mazes through the years. I love the bits of history about Knotts and Sarah Marshall, the original witch of Calico, scattered throughout the maze. The set designs in each space was amazing and a lot of cool spaces for Scareactors to use. There are some great “wow” moments I don’t want to spoil. They do use a lot of multimedia throughout the maze, which is alright, but it was sometimes overpowering. Wait til you see Sarah!

Great maze, with good story telling and epic changes of scenery. You will find this in most knotts mazes as the formula. The sets are awesome and the terrain changes so there’s plenty to look at. This one specifically has some great wow moments.