The Official Solution to the 2023 WBKR/Halloween Havoc Road War in Owensboro
The 2023 WBKR/Halloween Havoc Road War is in the books. A big congratulations to Kelly Kortz and Amber Krampe. Team Double Trouble took the $1000 grand prize by finishing the course by nailing the exact mileage of it.
Roughly 60 teams started this year's Road War. Approximately half finished.
Here's the official solution to this year's course, which began with a special message and challenge from Jigsaw.
Here are those scary movie villains: Alex Forrest, Annabelle, Annie Wilkes, Candyman, Carrie White, Chucky, Cujo, Damien, Dracula, Frankensteins Monster, Freddy Krueger, Ghostface, Hannibal Lecter, Jack Torrance, Jason Voorhees, Jaws, Jigsaw, Leatherface, Michael Myers, Norman Bates, Pazuzu, Pennywise, Pinhead, Samara, Sweeney Todd, The Babadook, The Blair Witch, The Children of the Corn, The Creeper, The Thing.
**Some teams found additional names like Meg and Cain and were given credit for those.
Now, here's the official solution for the four legs of the course.
ROAD WAR LEG #1
Keep to the marked trail. The land here can be unforgiving.- WRONG TURN (2021)
AROUND ABOUT YOU GO, JUST DON’T FORGET TO BUCKLE UP, OWENSBORO
At Thompson-Berry Park, the official starting line, teams are to maneuver through the roundabout and proceed to intersection of Carter Road and Hwy 60 West. When they do, they'll pass a sign that reminds motorists to "Buckle up, Owensboro."
IN SPANISH, YOUR FIRST MOVE WILL BE COSTLY
At the intersection, there are two choices. Teams can cross and continue on Carter or they can turn right. The clue refers to the Valero gas station to their right. Valer, in Spanish, means "to cost."
ONCE YOU SEE THE SPIRITS, DON’T TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE YOU’LL WANT TO FIND YOURSELF BEYOND THE SPECTRUM, RIGHT?
"Spirits" refers to West Side Spirits on your right. That store is adjacent to a Subway, which marks the reference to "public transportation." "Beyond the Spectrum, right?" indicates that teams need to turn right onto Industrial Drive, which is home to a Spectrum office.
PASS KEN, BARBIE!
Refers to the fact that teams will pass by Kentronics.
HAVE STOCKHOLM SYNDROME? THEN KEEP GOING!
"Stockholm Syndrome" is a reference to Swedish Match
TO HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, FOLLOW BILL
Teams take a left onto Medley Drive. The clue refers to the song" (I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
YOU’LL PASS TURTLES, AND DEER AND A WINDING SNAKE OF A ROAD
"Turtles" and "deer" mark references to neighborhoods/subdivisions motorists will pass as they continue on the very winding Medley Road.
AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION, DON’T BE LEFT FOR DEAD
In front of Ben Hawes State Park, drivers have three choices- a left turn, proceeding straight onto a dead end or turning right into Ben Hawes Park. The clue specifically tells participants not to turn left or proceed to the dead end. They must turn right into the park.
WHERE THERE’S A WILL THERE’S WAY
Drivers should turn left onto Willett Road, which is accessed inside Ben Hawes Park.
DRIVE THROUGH THE LAND OF THE CHILDREN OF THE CORN, THEN STAY ON THE RIGHT TRACK
After exiting Willet Road, drivers will pass a barn to their left and enter a huge stretch of road (Griffith Station Road) that is marked by endless cornfields. The "track" clue refers to a set of train tracks motorists must cross by turning right.
WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE, GO CROSSING OVER WITH JOHN EDWARD
At the next stop sign, drivers will turn right and cross the railroad tracks for the second time.
WAVE AT WAITMAN
Refers to the sign that honors former Owensboro mayor Waitman Taylor. This clue is given to assure drivers they're on course.
GO ROLLING ON THE RIVER, TINA, PAST THE CAPITAL OF MONTANA
Drivers find themselves on River Road and pass by Helena to their left
NOW SING A TUNE YOU’VE SUNG BEFORE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF
This clue instructs participants to turn left onto Medley Road. When they do, they will see Averitt Express of to their right.
YOU’RE RIGHT ON TIME, YOU’RE DOING FAB
Another bonus clue- drivers will pass On Time Fab on their left.
WHO SHOT J.R.?
Drivers take a right on Ewing.
YOUR SALVATION LIES AHEAD, SO WATCH YOUR BEHAVIOR
At the intersection of U.S. 60 West and Ewing, motorists proceed straight through the intersection. The Salvation Army is on their left. A River Valley Behavioral Health satellite office is on their right.
GO FORTH
Drivers take a left onto 4th Street
RUMOURS HAVE IT YOU SHOULD TURN RIGHT
They then take an immediate right onto Fleetwood. "Rumours", of course, refers to a popular Fleetwood Mac album
WES INSISTS YOU AVOID THE HOUSES ON THE LEFT
'Wes" is a reference to famed horror movie director, Wes Cravens. The clue says to avoid the "houses on the left", so they must take a right turn.
SALLY SELLS SEASHELLS, BUT YOU SAIL ON BY
Just beyond Cravens Elementary, there is a Shell station at the intersection of Cravens and Carter. Drivers proceed through the intersection onto West 5th Street Road.
IF THAT’S YOUR ACCOMPLICE IN THE WOOD CHIPPER, TURN RIGHT
A reference to the movie "Fargo" instructs drivers to turn right onto Fargo.
YOU MUST OBAY AND TURN LEFT
At the intersection of Fargo and Baybrook, drivers turn left.
FOLLOW THE GREEN MILE
Indicates a left turn onto Greenbriar.
YOU WANNA PLEAD THE FIFTH, RIGHT?
Drivers take a right onto West 5th Street Road
WATCH OUT FOR ALL THE BATS
A context clue for reassurance. "The bats" refer to the giant wooden bats at the entrance of Jack C. Fisher Park.
YOU’LL FIND YOUR SELF WORTH OFF TO THE SOUTHWEST
Drivers make a left turn onto Worthington Road.
BE A WISE MAN AND TURN AWAY FROM THE SOUTH STAR
At the intersection of Worthington and Hwy 56, drivers must turn left- moving the opposite direction of Southern Star
AROUND AND AROUND YOU GO, PAST THE MCLEAN COUNTY SEAT
Make your way around the roundabout back toward Owensboro. Old Calhoun Road sits over to the right indicating you're going the right direction.
HAPPY 60TH, RIGHT?
Merge onto the U.S. 60 Bypass by turning right.
AT YOUR NEXT RIGHT, YOU’LL FIND COMFORT, BREAD AND A GUY NAMED FRED
A reference letting drivers know their next right will be Frederica Street- home to a Comfort Inn and Suites, Panera Bread and a Freddy's.
TO MAKE A BEWITCHING RIGHT TURN, USE SIGNAL AND PROCEED TO YOUR FIRST CHECKPOINT.
This clue indicates that drivers are seeking Salem Drive. However, the clue does not mean to take a right onto Salem. You can't. The clue refers to the new sign that is in place at the intersection. There is a giant sign that says Salem Drive with an arrow pointing right. That sign also includes the specific instructions that you must "USE SIGNAL" to proceed there.
YOU’LL BE FLOORED TO DISCOVER IT’S JUST PAST YOUR HOME
"Floored" indicates the the first checkpoint is Carpet One, which is adjacent to My Home.
GO INSIDE AND UNBOX YOUR NEXT SET OF CLUES
Participants had to go inside and "unbox" their clues to Checkpoint #2. There was a surprise in that box. WBKR's midday personality Barb Birgy was dressed as Bigfoot and she jumped out and scared our Road Warriors.
ROAD WAR LEG #2
It’s getting late and I think I’m dangerous, especially at night- WOLF (1994)
DRIVE PAST THE HAMPTONS BECAUSE JACKPOTS LIE AHEAD
Turn right from the parking lot of Carpet One onto Salem Drive. The “jackpots lie ahead” clue makes reference to the giant Mega Millions and Powerball billboard off in the distance.
STAY ACTIVE TODAY AND KEEP GOING
At the intersection of Salem and JR Miller Boulevard, drivers cross through the intersection and head toward Active Day.
YOU’LL PASS DONALD AND KIEFER
A context clue to let drivers know they made the right decision. “Donald” and “Keifer” refer to Sutherland Road, which you’ll pass on the right.
KEEP IDLING BY
Another confirming clue. Drivers will pass Idyllwood event space on the left
NOT TO GET TOO TECHNICAL, BUT YOU’LL BE DOING GREAT WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF ON ALL FOURS
At the intersection of U.S. 231- adjacent to Owensboro Community and Technical College (on the right), drivers will cross the intersection to Foors Lane and proceed.
IF YOU WANNA WIN THE DOUGH, BETTER TAKE A LEFT
Take a left onto Doe Run
NICE RACK
Take a right onto Antler
DON’T BE LURED INTO THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
Immediately after turning right onto Antler, drivers will notice a triangular intersection on their left. The clue says to avoid being lured into it. So, they should proceed straight ahead.
KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU’RE LEFT WITH ONLY ONE CHOICE
At the intersection, drivers must take a left back onto Foors Lane.
IGNORE THE CAPITAL OF CONNECTICUT
At the next intersection, drivers are instructed to ignore the capital of Connecticut, which is Hartford. So, instead of turning left or right onto Old Hartford Road, they should proceed ahead onto Fairview Drive.
ONCE YOU PASS MR. MCCREERY AND MS. SHIELDS, PREPARE TO SETTLE IN
They’ll then pass Scotty Lane to the left and Brooke on the right and eventually find themselves on Settles Road.
YOU HAVE TIME LEFT, SO AVOID BEING SIX FEET UNDER
At the next intersection, drivers have two choices- taking either a right or left onto Millers Mill. The “Six Feet Under” clue makes reference to avoiding the cemetery on the right. So, they should take a left.
IF YOU’RE BLUE AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO, WHY DON’T YOU GO WHERE FASHION SITS
At the intersection of Millers Mill and Hwy 54, drivers will see a Ritzy’s across the street. The clue above contains lyrics from the hit song “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and they command drivers to cross the intersection and proceed on Thruston Dermont Road
STORM PAST NORMANDY BECAUSE THE WAR RAGES ON
While traveling on Thruston Dermont, they’ll pass Normandy Lane on the left.
TRAVEL BETWEEN THE BANKS AND FIELDS
They’ll then see Yellow Banks Landscaping on the right
AFTER YOU TIP TOE PAST THE TULIPS, LOOK FOR HIM
YOU’LL FIND YOUR WOLF ON THE PROWL IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD, WHERE GOOD FORTUNE AND MORE MADNESS LIE AHEAD
“Tip toe past the tulips” refers to Holland Drive, which they’ll see to their right. Just down the road to their left they will see a giant werewolf. He is one of the centerpieces of Deadwood Manor, the Halloween attraction in the front yard of the home owned by Daymon and Karla Ward. The word “fortune” signals participants to look for a fortune teller on site who holds their next set of clues.
ROAD WAR LEG #3
Nietzsche also said, Without music, life would be a mistake.- HALLOWEEN ENDS (2022)
GO BOXING, ENTER YOUR PIN, THEN BAKE A BROWNIE
After exiting Deadwood Manor, drivers turn right onto Boxwood, then left onto Pin Oak Drive, then right onto Brownwood.
DON’T LIFT YOUR LEG ON THE HYDRANT, DAWG! THAT AIN’T RIGHT
At the next intersection, there are two choices- turning left or right onto Reid Road. The fire hydrant sits just to the right indicating that drivers should turn left.
FOLLOW HEATHER, BILLY AND THE CRACKER
“Heather, Billy and the Cracker” all refer to Graham and indicate to drivers they should turn right onto Graham Lane.
AFTER WAVING AT LARRY, PASS THROUGH THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS
On Graham Lane, drivers will pass the Larry’s convenient store on the left and they’ll drive through two Locust Lanes.
YOU’LL WANT TO CONTRACT YELLOW FEVER
At the intersection of Graham Lane and KY Hwy 144, drivers should turn left toward Yellow Creek Baptist Church and Yellow Creek Park.
KEEP BLISSFULLY DRIVING ALONG
As they proceed on Hwy 144, they’ll pass Blissful Beginnings Day Care on the right
BREEZE PAST THE GHOST OF ELMER AND DON’T GET DETAINED
These clues refer to other landmarks they’ll pass as they continue straight ahead. In this clue’s case-the OMU Elmer Smith station on the right and Daviess County Detention Center- also on the right just down the road.
IN CASE YOU WONDER, YOU SHOULD STILL KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU CAN BARREL OFF TO THE LEFT
“Wonder” refers to Wonder Whip, which drivers will see on their left as they proceed. There’s a barrel in front of Glenmore Distillery directly across the street from the entrance to Alsop Lane. That’s where drivers should “barrel off to the left.”
ALRIGHT, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, IT’S TIME TO GET DIRTY
Alsop Lane eventually winds to its right and becomes Grimes Avenue
SOAK UP THE SUN AND GO TROLLING UNDER THE BRIDGE
At the intersection of Grimes Ave and Hwy 54, drivers should turn left and head toward to Sunoco station. At the intersection, they continue straight where they will pass underneath the foot bridge at Chautauqua Park
WE CALL YOUR LEFT
Drivesr turn left onto Bluff Avenue
YOU KNOW HOW TO HARMONIZE, RIGHT?
“Harmonize” refers to Harmony Baptist Church, which drivers will see off their right at the intersection of Bluff Avenue and 18th Street. Drivers should turn right onto 18th.
KEEP ROLLING, THEN FIND YOUR CENTER
They’ll pass Rolling Pin Bakery on the right, then turn left onto Center Street
YOUR NEXT RIGHT IS OF MONUMENTAL IMPORTANCE
Center Street eventually intersects Old Hartford Road, where Owensboro Monument Company sits off to the right. Drivers should take a right.
HEY MONICA LEWISNKY, IT’S LINDA TRIPP
At the next intersection, they take a left onto Triplett Street
IN THIS CASE, THE SUN RISES IN THE WEST
When drivers see Sunrise Drive, which is marked by the offices of Tanner West, they should turn right.
PROCEED SLOWLY WITH CAUTION
At the very next intersection, there is a sign straight ahead that urges drivers to proceed slowly with caution. That’s exactly what participants should do.
AT THE STOP SIGN, PRETEND LIKE YOU’RE GOING TO CHURCH, BUT GO SQUARE DANCING INSTEAD
At the next stop sign, drivers are to make a slight right toward Owensboro Christian Church, but then veer right again and proceed to Williamsburg Square instead of driving across the parking lot toward the church
WHEN YOU CAN PATCH THINGS UP, HEAD SOUTH
When drivers reach the intersection in front of Briarpatch restaurant, they should make a left to head south.
FOLLOW GEOFFREY AND YOU’LL HAVE A TALE TO TELL
“Geoffrey” refers to Geoffrey Chaucer, the author of “The Canterbury Tales”. Drivers need to turn left onto Canterbury
STICK YOUR LANDING LIKE KERRY STRUG
At the intersection of Canterbury and Meadowland, drivers are given this clue about Kerry Strug, who landed her world-famous, one-footed vault landing in the ’96 Atlanta Olympics on her right foot. Take a right.
HAVE YOUR BUNCH WAVE AT MRS. BRADY WHEN YOU PASS HER
Driver will pass by Florence Court on the right
I’D LIKE YOU TO BUY A VOWEL- AN “I”
At the next intersection- Byers Avenue- drivers have two choices. They can turn left or right. If you buy an “I”, that indicates you should turn right.
WHEN YOU DRIVE YOUR WAY TO YOUR NEXT CHECKPOINT, IT WILL HAVE BEEN A TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT
As drivers make their way on Byers Avenue toward Frederica Street, they will see a DRIVE WAY sign just after Don & Daisy’s Pharmacy Plus and just before the strip mall containing Great Harvest Bread Company. A left turn in front of the DRIVE WAY sign takes participants into back parking lot of WBKR studios. That lot is marked by a gigantic radio tower. WBKR is Checkpoint #3
ROAD WAR LEG #4
This guy’s methodical, exacting, and, worst of all, patient. SE7EN (1995)
The movie Se7en is about a serial killer whose gruesome murders are themed and staged around the seven deadly sins: gluttony, envy, lust, pride, sloth, wrath and greed. It’s your greed- your shameless lust for $1000- that has helped you survive our wrath tonight. You’ve reached the fourth and final leg of the WBKR Road War and there’s no doubt that you’re the envy for the teams of sloths that have folded- the ones that have gone back home to taste the lives of the simple men and women they are. You are a true glutton for punishment and have too much pride to surrender. So, here you are- in your car- teetering on the edge of holding your head high or having it stuffed inside a box.
The finish line of tonight’s course is Halloween Havoc. Yes, you know exactly where you are going. But now, you have to decide how you’re going get there.
After exiting the front of WBKR, you can only make Se7en additional turns- the final turn being the one you make into the Towne Square Mall parking lot. There are infinite possibilities and combinations, but the route you seek is exactly 3.6 miles.
The WBKR Road War began this evening with a message from Jigsaw and it will end with one as well. There is indeed a correct solution (maybe even more) to this Se7en challenge. To prove to us you’ve accepted it, you must photograph the street sign for each turn you make.
Now, let the endgame begin.
It will be like finding a needle in a haystack. SAW II (2005)
*This clue is quite layered and, as it indicates, there are likely multiple correct solutions. Two things that are important to consider. 1) The turn out of the WBKR parking lot does NOT count as one of the seven turns. 2) The final- the 7th turn- will be the turn into the parking lot at Towne Square Mall.
When we designed the course, this was our intended solution.
1st Turn- Right onto Halifax
2nd Turn- Left onto Ashlawn Drive
3rd Turn- Right onto Tamarack
4th Turn- Left onto Gemini
5th Turn- Left onto Southtown Boulevard
6th Turn- Right onto Frederica Street
7th Turn- Right into the Towne Square Mall parking lot by Zaxby’s
However, here’s the twist with the clue. Though we required participants to photograph the street signs at each of their turns, there was no expressed penalty for failing to do so. Though teams did screen capture their journeys, they didn’t actually have to do it. They could have chosen to just drive directly to the finish line location and make laps in the parking lot until they added 3.6 miles to their trip counters. That would have been perfectly acceptable. Our goal with this final leg of the 2023 Road War was to both help and torment our participants. We essentially spoon fed you the exact mileage of the final leg, but convinced you to believe you actually had to work hard to get there. You didn’t.
The total mileage for the 2023 Road War was 39.9 miles.