The Beauregard Parish Tourist Commission will host a haunted house event in the Gothic Jail for Halloween, and officials said Thursday that the group is asking area organizations to take part.

The commission is looking for seven groups to compete in its Haunted Gothic Jail Competition, which will award monetary prizes ranging from $2,500 for first place to $650 for seventh.

“Each organization will be judged every night to see who can bring the biggest fright and fear factor from their designated room,” said Lori Darbonne, tourist commission director.

The haunted house event will run Oct. 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 and 31. Darbonne said the judges — randomly selected visitors on each night — will rate each organization’s attempt to scare people.

Scores will be totaled each night, and the results will be announced on the steps of the jail on Halloween night.

Registration for the event will end Sept. 18.

Darbonne said last year’s inaugural haunted house attraction raised over $32,000. The proceeds are used to maintain the building and hold tours for the remainder of the year.