Jokesters Planning New 'Scaregrounds' in Historic Lutherville

Hide the children! The Timoniak is coming back.

The homicidal clown, wanted in 10 states for allegedly murdering and kidnapping children, hasn't been seen for nearly two years since his departure from the traveling carnival that brought him to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in 2010.

But Patch has received word that the Timoniak has been spotted in the Timonium area and is planning on making a bloody splash in the Historic Lutherville neighborhood on Oct. 19.

Making matters worse, we hear he's bringing a friend along with him...

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Lutherville man Steve Bauer and his wife Marianne Wittlesberger are bringing the infamous Timoniak character back to life for a re-imagined haunted attraction for charity.

Bauer and Wittlesberger, better known around the Lutherville neighborhood as The Jokesters, were responsible for the popular Timonium Scaregrounds haunted walkthrough in 2010. More than 3,000 braved the transformed Timonium Fairgrounds grandstand.

A broken partnership and less than agreeable financial terms saw the Timonium Scaregrounds dissolve in 2011 with even less optimism going into 2012.

"These venues wanted an arm and leg ... even for a charity event," Bauer said.

And then, two nights ago, inspiration struck The Jokesters. 

The couple, who also teach makeup and special effects at Towson University, decided to bring the Scaregrounds back to Timonium by building a haunted trail through their own backyard in the Historic Lutherville neighborhood.

"I know we can do this," Bauer said. 

The Jokesters are planning for an haunted trail walkthrough featuring interactive stations and a gruesome back story pairing the Timoniak with the Baltimore urban legend, Slenderman.

"People are coming out of the woodwork to help out," Bauer said.

The Jokesters most recently lent their unique talents to director Mike Gutridge and the film The Bone Garden, which subsequently was also partially shot in the Jokesters' backyard.

The new Scaregrounds will collect money to be donated to the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company , which Bauer said he owes a personal tremendous debt of gratitude for its members' tireless efforts.

Stay with Patch as we continue to update this story.

Related Links:

VIDEO: Inside 'The Jokesters' Workshop

'Jokesters' Teaming Up With 'Scaregrounds' Chums for Horror Movie

VIDEO: Local Director Needs Help Funding Film Shot in Lutherville

Scaregrounds Won't Be Returning to Timonium

Welcome to the Timonium Scaregrounds (VIDEO)