Adding to the heart-pounding scares this year are three new haunted houses – HillBilly Hell, Vampire’s Bloodfeast and The HEX-MAS Nightmare, complete with falling snow. Other new features include Scare Zones with monsters and super creatures lurking in the dark and an off-the-wall stunt show starring the hosts of “Guinea Pig,” the thrill-a-minute series airing on Discovery Channel Canada that pushes human experiences to the extreme.

“We are so excited to bring Fright Dome back this year,” said Jason Egan, founder and owner of Fright Dome Productions. “With 23 rides and attractions, including aerial haunts with ‘drop demons,’ terrifying premium rides, a haunted 4-D FX theater, haunted ride films and more, this is sure to be our best year since we began in 2002.”

Other sure-to-terrify highlights include one of the only female sword-swallowers in the world, Lady Diabla, and her Xtreme Sideshow Circus featuring Stigmata – tattooed from head to toe, performing suspension acts – and Lil’ Miss Firefly – one of the world’s smallest girls, measuring in at just above two feet.

Ranked as the fourth scariest haunted attraction in the country for two consecutive years by AOL, Fright Dome is open from 7 p.m. – midnight, Oct. 3 – 5, 10 – 12, 16 – 19, 23 – 26 and 29 – 31.

Tickets are $33.95 for a single night. Fast pass tickets are available for an additional $15 and allow express line entry for all five haunted houses. Discount coupons are available at Fright Dome sponsors’ Hollywood Video, Del Taco, Albertsons and Fright World Halloween stores.