Randy Bates, the longtime owner of Arasapha Farms in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and founder of the well-known Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride, has died after a battle with cancer. Bates died on August 8, 2026, according to tributes shared following his death.
His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from family members, employees, friends, community members and people throughout the haunted-attraction industry. For decades, Bates helped transform his family farm into one of the region’s most recognizable Halloween destinations while also becoming an active member of the Edgmont Township community.
Randy Bates died on August 8, 2026, after battling cancer. He was the owner of Arasapha Farms in Glen Mills and the founder of the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride. Bates was also involved in local community organizations and served Edgmont Township in several leadership roles. His death has been mourned by members of the haunted-attraction industry and those who worked alongside him for many years.
Who Was Randy Bates?
Randy Bates was a longtime Pennsylvania farmer, entrepreneur and community leader whose name became closely associated with the haunted-attraction industry.
He operated Arasapha Farms in Glen Mills, Delaware County, where the family farm eventually became home to the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride. The attraction grew from a local Halloween operation into a nationally recognized haunted attraction.
Bates began developing the Halloween side of the farm decades ago. A 2010 CBS News profile reported that he had worked on Arasapha Farm since he was 5 years old and began using Halloween attractions as a way to supplement the farm’s traditional agricultural business.
The Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride eventually became one of the best-known haunted attractions in the Philadelphia region.
Randy Bates and the Bates Motel
For many fans, Randy Bates will forever be remembered as the person behind the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride.
The attraction began in 1991 and grew substantially over the following decades. A 2023 profile described the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride as being among the oldest and most elaborate modern haunted attractions outside theme parks.
The attraction became an important part of Arasapha Farms’ identity and attracted thousands of visitors during Halloween season.
Bates also expanded his business interests into escape rooms and corporate team-building activities through Bates Motel Escape Rooms. His professional profile described him as the owner of the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride and the operator of Bates Motel Escape Rooms.
His work helped establish a model in which agricultural businesses could diversify through entertainment and seasonal attractions.
Randy Bates’ Community Service
Bates’ influence extended well beyond the Halloween industry.
He was active in Edgmont Township and participated in community organizations and local initiatives. Township records have identified him as a community member and township business owner involved with the Edgmont Township Community Day Committee.
His professional and community activities included work with organizations connected to agriculture, environmental conservation and local planning.
A recent profile also described Bates as a longtime member of the Edgmont Township community and noted his role with the Edgmont Township Historical Society.
According to information shared about his community service, Bates served as a township supervisor for four years and as an emergency management coordinator for 10 years.
The township also recognized him in June with a resolution of appreciation, according to the information shared following his death.
Randy Bates’ Cause of Death
According to tributes and information shared after his passing, Randy Bates’ cause of death was cancer.
Several messages from people familiar with Bates referred to his battle with cancer. The haunted-attraction community expressed particular sadness over his death, describing him as a pioneer who had made a lasting contribution to the industry.
While tributes have identified cancer as the cause of death, additional medical details about his illness have not been publicly established in the information available.
Tributes Pour In for Randy Bates
Following news of Bates’ death, people who worked with him for years shared emotional memories.
One longtime Bates Motel employee described Bates as more than a boss, saying he treated people like family and regularly offered encouragement, advice and support.
The employee recalled spending 13 years around Bates and remembered him for his humor, life advice and positive attitude.
Another tribute described Bates as a pioneer and leader in the haunted-house industry while emphasizing his generosity, intelligence, kindness and dedication to his family.
Members of the broader haunted-attraction community also remembered Bates as someone who was willing to help other operators and share his knowledge.
The response reflects how significant Bates’ influence was beyond his own business.
A Legacy That Goes Beyond Halloween
Although the Bates Motel became his most recognizable creation, Randy Bates’ legacy was much broader.
He helped preserve and develop his family’s agricultural property while finding innovative ways to keep the farm economically sustainable.
His approach to agritainment demonstrated how farms could combine agriculture with entertainment, particularly during the Halloween season. CBS News previously reported that the Halloween operation became a major economic component of the farm.
Over the years, Bates also became an important figure within the haunted-attraction industry, where his experience and willingness to help others earned him widespread respect.
His influence can be seen in the number of employees, operators and industry colleagues who have described him not only as a businessman but also as a mentor and friend.
Randy Bates’ Family and Personal Life
Bates was closely connected to his family and the Arasapha Farms property.
Profiles of the Bates family have described Arasapha Farm as a multigenerational family operation. His daughter Ronnie Bates, for example, was raised on the farm with her parents, Anne and Randy Bates, and her siblings.
The family has also been involved in the farm’s many activities and businesses over the years.
As tributes continue to be shared, many people have focused on Bates’ role as a family man as much as his professional accomplishments.
Randy Bates Obituary and Memorial Information
At the time of this report, detailed funeral or memorial-service information was not included in the information provided.
Family members and representatives may announce arrangements separately.
People wishing to remember Bates are likely to reflect on his decades of work at Arasapha Farms, his contribution to the haunted-attraction industry and the many relationships he developed throughout his life.
Randy Bates Obituary: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Randy Bates |
| Date of death | August 8, 2026 |
| Cause of death | Cancer, according to tributes |
| Hometown/Community | Glen Mills, Pennsylvania |
| Business | Arasapha Farms |
| Known for | Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride |
| Industry | Farming, agritainment and haunted attractions |
| Community involvement | Edgmont Township |
| Other business | Bates Motel Escape Rooms |
| Legacy | Pioneer in the haunted-attraction and agritainment industry |
Remembering Randy Bates
The death of Randy Bates marks the loss of a distinctive figure in Pennsylvania’s farming and entertainment communities.
For visitors, he was the man behind the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride. For employees, he was a boss who many described as supportive and encouraging. For fellow haunted-attraction operators, he was a mentor, innovator and industry pioneer.
For the Edgmont Township community, he was a longtime local business owner who contributed his time to civic and community activities.
His work at Arasapha Farms demonstrated how creativity and determination could transform a family farm into a destination known by generations of visitors.
As tributes continue to appear, one theme has remained consistent: Randy Bates made a lasting impression on the people around him.
His death after a battle with cancer has left family, friends, employees and colleagues mourning, but the businesses and community initiatives he helped build will continue to carry his influence forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Randy Bates?
Randy Bates was the owner of Arasapha Farms in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and the founder of the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride. He was also active in the Edgmont Township community and the haunted-attraction industry.
When did Randy Bates die?
Randy Bates died on August 8, 2026, according to the information shared following his death.
What was Randy Bates’ cause of death?
According to tributes shared after his passing, Randy Bates died following a battle with cancer.
What was Randy Bates known for?
He was best known for creating and operating the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride at Arasapha Farms. The attraction became a prominent haunted destination in Pennsylvania and helped establish Bates as a respected figure in the haunted-attraction industry.