08/22/2026
Rest in Peace Randy. You were one of a kind.
Randy Bates Obituary and Legacy
Randy Bates, the founder of The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, died on August 8, 2026, at the age of 68, following a prolonged battle with cancer
His passing was confirmed by his family and acknowledged by the Haunted Attraction Association and TransWorld’s Halloween and Attractions Show.
Early Life and Career
Bates and his wife, Anne, began their haunted attraction journey in 1991 with a small hayride through their family’s Arasapha Farm, which was named after his great-great-grandmother
The attraction grew from a tractor and one hay wagon into a nationally recognized Halloween destination, known for its elaborate sets, pyrotechnics, and large-scale effects
He also produced Pennhurst Asylum, a Pennsylvania haunt, for its first years
Industry Leadership
Bates was a pioneering figure in the haunted attraction industry, helping to found:
International Association of Haunted Attractions (1997)
America Haunts (2003)
Haunted Attraction Association (2011, through merger
He served as a board member, advisor, and safety advocate, helping develop Pennsylvania’s haunted house inspection standards and ASTM International’s haunted attraction safety operations standard
Community and Personal Life
Beyond his business, Bates was active in Edgmont Township, Delaware County, serving as township supervisor and emergency management coordinator
He was a devoted family man, husband, father, and grandfather, and was remembered for his generosity, kindness, and willingness to help others in the haunt community
Tributes
The Haunted Attraction Association called him “a great man who believed in family and helping others in many ways” and “a true hero to so many in so many ways”
Industry peers and fans mourned the loss of a creative force who transformed a seasonal farm hayride into world-class entertainment while maintaining a strong sense of community.
Legacy
Bates’ legacy lives on through The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, which continues to operate at Arasapha Farm, and through the countless attraction owners, designers, and performers he inspired
His family’s goal is to keep the farm and its attractions growing as he intended, ensuring his vision and passion endure.
With more than 20 haunted houses and attractions across the country, America Haunts delivers fear-based entertainment to more than a million thrill seekers each season.
