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 13th 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 14th, we will get the 5th 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 28th.
Heading into October, October 5th 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 11th.
As we head into the home stretch, we are given two more presents. On October
19th, the 4th installment of the “Paranormal
Activity” series hits the big screen. We finish off the season, “Silent
Hill: Revelation,” premiering on October
26th.
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!
