Express All Stars Open Grand Junction Haunted House
The annual Trail of Terror fundraiser uses 12,000 square feet of shipping containers to support local dance team expenses.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Express All Stars cheer and dance team has launched its annual Trail of Terror haunted house in the Mesa Mall parking lot. The attraction raises essential funds to cover travel and competition expenses for the team members.
Why it matters
This community-driven project sustains the athletic program by turning seasonal entertainment into a vital revenue stream for competition costs. It allows the team to offset travel expenses while providing an interactive experience for residents across the region.
The attraction encompasses 12,000 square feet and features 25 themed rooms designed by families on the team. This format has been in place for the past 5 years of the event's 16-year history.
The players
Express All Stars
This local cheer and dance team coordinates the annual haunted house fundraiser to support their athletic operations.
Cody Miller
He is the lead organizer of the event who has directed the team's fundraising efforts for the past 16 years.
The details
Spanning over 12,000 square feet in the Mesa Mall parking lot, the installation utilizes modular shipping containers to house 25 distinct rooms designed and staffed by team families. Visitors navigate the space as part of a guided, tethered tour featuring a narrative surrounding the character of the Dollmaker, with additional support from a local softball team managing an on-site corn maze.
Timeline
Cody Miller began organizing the event 16 years ago.
The event moved into shipping containers 5 years ago.
The Trail of Terror operates for the October 2026 Halloween season.
Market Landscape
This event reflects a wider trend of organizations leveraging temporary, modular infrastructure to drive revenue for community-based programs. By utilizing shipping containers, the team positions its fundraiser as a distinct, scaleable attraction within the regional entertainment market.
Residents and visitors to Grand Junction can support the dance team by purchasing tickets for the guided haunted house tour. Revenue generated from these admissions directly funds the travel and competition requirements for the athletes throughout the season.
The takeaway
Supporting this event provides direct financial aid to local youth athletes while participating in a longstanding regional tradition. Families attending should prepare for a guided, tethered experience that requires participation in a narrative-driven walk-through.
Further reading
For more information on local charitable initiatives, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.
Live Poll
Do you prefer visiting locally organized seasonal events over commercial haunted house attractions in your area?
