Are you superstitious?

Well, the organizers of the Ironton Lions Club's Haunted Tunnel think that you should be as they kick off its "lucky" 13th year with more pulse-pounding surprises waiting for visitors.

With a few changes to go with the mainstays, such as the hall of mirrors, the vortex, a foggy graveyard and countless monsters, this year's fright-filled trip through the tunnel may be one of the scariest yet, tunnel coordinator Debbie Rogers said.

"We have got a few surprises planned," she said. "It is one of the scariest attractions around. You will get your $5 worth."

Located at the intersection of U.S. 52 and State Route 93 across from the Ironton Hills Shopping Center, the Haunted Tunnel opens at 7 p.m.

this Friday and Saturday. The cost is $5 per person.

Each night it will last until "the last victim goes through," Rogers said.

The scares and spooks will continue at 7 p.m. Oct. 17-18, 24-25, and 30-31.

The Lions Club's annual event attracted approximately 4,000 to 5,000 thrill-seekers last year and raised money for various charities such as the Ironton City Welfare Mission, the eyeglass program and provided local scholarships to Ohio University Southern students, said Lions Club Treasurer Joe Wiseman

The five members of the tunnel committee - Tony Howard, Joy Howard, Marci Peters, Brandon Kellogg and Marty Smith Jr. - started working on this year's event in August.

Without the 60 to 70 volunteers each night, many of which are local youth who want to help out "with something worthwhile," the annual event would never be possible, Rogers said.

"We do it for the Lions Club. Their motto is 'Sight is First," she said. "The more we make, the more we can give back to the community."