CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, N.Y. -- The so-called "scary Lucy" statue in the village of Celoron is the subject of an upcoming haunted house at the Chautauqua Mall.
Eventz by Scott Owner Scott Mekus is set to open "The Haunting at the Mall" outside JC Penny at the Chautauqua Mall in Lakewood.
"I love Halloween too, so that's why I decided to bring back my childhood memories of Halloween haunted houses," said Scott Mekus, The Haunting at the Mall director.
The third annual haunted house event features a series of scares, mazes and themed rooms complete with live actors.
"It is cool because the acting is really good and some of its scary and some of its fun. And that's what people are here for, they're here to get surprised but they're here to get scared too," said Mekus.
One of those scary rooms features a scene based on the Lucy statue at Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron. The statue caused an international uproar over what many described as an ugly and scary expression on Lucy's face.
"It kind of relates because Halloween's scary and the name that the social media gave the Lucy statue is "scary Lucy" so I decided to go with it," said Mekus.
The village of Celoron recently decided to hire a sculptor out of Montgomery, N.Y. to create a new bronze statue of the comedy legend. She was chosen out of 65 applicants and hopes to have the statue completed by Lucille Ball's birthday next August.
"I was actually surprised, amazed, very happy and excited that they chose me. I am a big fan of hers. My intention is to give Lucy the beauty and charm she deserves," said Carolyn Palmer, artist and sculptor.
Once the new statue is in place, the current one will be turned over to the national comedy center in Jamestown. Until then, Mekus hopes heads will turn when life imitates art, and visitors are haunted by a performance from scary Lucy.
"It's going to be a live actor doing the scene. It's going to be a surprise for the community so I can't go into detail there," said Mekus.
The Haunting opens this Friday night.