Battleship North Carolina, in an ongoing effort to attract more visitors, hosted thousands throughout October to take part in Ghost Ship, a haunted house spread over the large ship. About 7,204 people participated in Ghost Ship over four weekends in October, a significant increase from 2009.

Heather Loftin, marketing director at the battleship said “We’re already considered kind of haunted, but we focus on family fun.”

The battleship used more volunteers this year, and with more people working to spook others, the feedback was positive. The University of North Carolina Wilmington Dance Team got in on the act as well, performing the choreographed dance from the Michael Jackson classic music video Thriller.

Despite increased competition from other haunted houses in the area, Loftin said the battleship was very encouraged by the 2010 results.