2012 Halloween Season Preview

Hello Haunt Fans!

 

It has been a LONG off-season, hasn’t it? Thankfully, the date on the calendar now shows September.  AND if you are quiet enough, you can probably hear this year’s cast of monsters, zombies, creatures, and freaks awakening to terrorize your neighborhood.

 

Eventually, the weather will cool down, and that familiar chill will return. The kids will head back to school, the leaves will change colors, and football will once again rule the television.

 

Even while talking with different Haunt owners, the feeling of restlessness is shared. So many different attractions are chomping-at-the-bit with the chance to help give you a reason to change your underwear.

 

Here’s some news to help wet your whistle as we prepare for Halloween 2012. (We will continue to update it as more comes in.)

 

To begin, the biggest news of the off-season concerned long-time Top 13 attraction, Dream Reapers in Melrose Park, IL. After last year’s season, they were robbed of a good majority of their revenue from the 2011 season. To help recap their lost funds, Dream Reapers opened a Christmas-themed haunted attraction for two weekends in December 2011. Even after an outstanding performance and overwhelming support, the owners of Dream Reapers announced that the 2012 season will be their 13^th and final season.

 

Haunted High School in Oconomowoc, WI, has also announced this will be their final operating year.

 

However, all is not lost. A few attractions are expanding their experiences for 2012. Wisconsin Feargrounds in Waukesha, WI, have added two new attractions, “Shadow Lands” and “Revenge.” Asylum Experiment in Villa Park, IL, is adding a third attraction named, “The House.” Abyss in Channahon, IL, will be adding a fourth attraction. Dark Side Haunted Adventure in Ixonia, WI, will also be adding a fifth attraction!

 

Congratulations to the following attractions celebrating anniversaries of fear:

Lombard Jaycees in Lombard, IL – 42 Years

Brookfield Jaycees in Brookfield, IL – 36 Years

Haunted Trails Frightmare in Burbank, IL – 21 Years

Henry Street Horrors in Pontiac, IL – 17 Years

Realm of Terror in Round Lake Beach, IL – 10 Years

Fear Itself in Mishawaka, IN – 5 Years

 

On the opposite side of that card, congratulations to our brand-new attractions Fables Studios in River Grove, IL, and Abandoned Haunted House in Sturtevant, WI. Have a great first-year!

 

Of course, each year has a few movers and shakers. Fear Asylum in Belvedere, IL, is changing their attraction to include a “waiver” concept. Screamatorium has moved to their new location in Poplar Grove, IL.  Screams in the Park in Rosemont, IL, now abandons the tent and moves inside the parking garage. Fear City in Morton Grove, IL, now joins with Hades to provide a new combination attraction, with proceeds benefiting the National MS Society. Psychosis in Elgin, IL, will be “kidnapping victims.” Last, but not least, CEP in LaGrange, IL, returns after a year layoff.

 

No news on your favorite haunt? Don’t fear! More updates will be posted all season long! Have a tip? Share it with us!

 

Want to enhance your Halloween season entertainment? Here are some movies and concerts that will keep your head spinning. (You have to supply the pea soup.)

 

The Big Screen

While no one knows quite for sure when Rob Zombie’s new flick, “Lords of Salem” will actually be released to the US, we do have a couple of highlights for the next two months of movie action. On September 5, Jessica Biel stars in “The Tall Man.” Then on September 14^th, we will get the 5^th installment of the “Resident Evil” series named, “Retribution.” Releasing on the same day, Elisabeth Shue stars in the “House at the End of the Street.” To lighten up the season, Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg have a chilling good animated time in “Hotel Transylvania,” which premieres on September 28^th.

Heading into October, October 5^th bring us three premieres. Tim Burton has his animated production of, “Frankenweenie,” Ethan Hawke stars in “Sinister,” and finally an interesting “mask” movie named, “V/H/S.” Not to be outdone, “Smiley,” another “mask” movie hits theatres on October 11^th. As we head into the home stretch, we are given two more presents. On October 19^th, the 4^th installment of the “Paranormal Activity” series hits the big screen. We finish off the season, “Silent Hill: Revelation,” premiering on October 26^th.

The Big Stage

 

The monsters of rock, Kiss and Motley Crew team up for a pair of shows at the Midwest Bank Amphitheatre on 9/7 and Alpine Valley on 9/8. The mighty Riotfest hits Humboldt Park Chicago 9/14-9/16, with headliners such as Iggy Pop and Gwar. Hatebreed plays the House of Blues on 9/19. Want a chance for some possible Pantera? Check out Down at House of Blues on 9/22. Finishing out September, Static-X plays a series of shows in Bloomington (9/24), Joliet (9/27), and Milwaukee (9/29).

 

Heading into October, if you want to see some REAL beards, check out classic sharp-dressed men, ZZ Top on 10/2 at the Chicago Theatre. Easily the highlight show of the season, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson take the stage at the Allstate on 10/11, and the US Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington on 10/13. Waka Flocka plays the Congress on 10/21. Deftones at the Aragon ballroom on 10/23. If you can’t find the time to make the pair of Justin Bieber shows, don’t worry, there are other options. Close out your October at the infamous Freakfest in Madison on 10/27, or the Misfits at House of Blues on 11/5.

 

Regardless of where you scream at, keep checking Haunted House Chicago all season long for everything to make your holiday season the best yet!

 

From all of our staff, have a frightful and safe Halloween Season!