2015 Season Primer
Tis the season, Haunt Fans!
Usually, we write about how the weather is cooling down, well that hasn’t happened just yet! But Football is back, schools are in full swing, hockey season is starting, and the calendar is almost to October, so it must be time to prepare ourselves for the mayhem ahead! As we shake the zombies and creatures of the dark to awaken them from slumber and dust away the cobwebs (or in our case, add them to the perfect corner), here’s a few notes to wet your appetite for the haunting season that awaits us. As always, we expect the level of haunted entertainment to be raised higher than it has ever been!
Here’s just a little preview of what to expect for the 2015 Season:
New Kids On The Block
This season, we have quite a few newcomers opening their doors for their first taste of blood & screams (oops…we mean, thrills & chills!). First, and most talked about is House of Torment Chicago haunted attraction. Located in Morton Grove, IL, it will be debuting two attractions and delivering quite a night of fright. Brought to you by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, this attraction is bound to hit the ground running. Expect a debut like none other!
Other new attractions include: The Slaughter at Sleepy Hollow in West Dundee, IL, which will bring 3 attractions to its audience; this is definitely another highlight attraction you won’t want to miss! Insanity Haunted House in St. Charles, IL will open its doors and make you come face to face with some of your biggest fears! Lastly, Lockport Township Park District presents Hayride of Horror of Dellwood Park in Lockport, IL and will be scaring up some things that go bump in the night.
We welcome these new attractions to the haunt family and wish them all the best in their first season!
The Cake
Let’s give another round of applause to all of our award winners for 2014, as chosen by the Haunted House Chicago Review Team.
Best Haunted Attraction of 2014: Statesville Haunted Prison & City of the Dead in Crest Hill, IL
Best New Haunted Attraction of 2014: 13th Floor Chicago in Melrose Park, IL
Jim Warfield Acting Award Recipient: Kenny Moore as “Black Billy” from The Hill Has Eyes in Franklin, WI.
A Final Farewell
This year, we are sad to report that ABYSS in Montgomery, IL; Dark Summit Haunted House in Summit, IL; Dr. S.Cary’s Haunted House in Fort Atkinson, WI; Fear City in Morton Grove, IL; Henry Street Horrors in Pontiac, IL; and Nightmares Haunted House in Hickory Hills, IL will be closed for the season.
2015 will mark “The Final Countdown” for a beloved attraction in Mazon, IL. Mazon Dungeon of Terror has been a wonderful family attraction that will stretch the limits one last time before they close their doors for good.
Movers & Shakers
Each year, a few attractions move around to find the best “home” that they feel will fit their attraction. For 2015, Fables Studios presents “Project Chaos”, will be taking up residence with Evil Intentions in Elgin, IL this year. Expect big things from both of these houses this season!
Back From The Dead
Returning from the grave, The Haunted Barn in Stoughton, WI re-opens its doors. Expect many thrills & chills from this town favorite!
Carry HHC In Your Pocket
For those of you that want to take Haunted House Chicago everywhere with you this haunt season, you can now download our mobile APP! The HauntedHouseChicago.com app will allow you to quickly find haunted and Halloween attractions near you, get directions to them, rate & review them and more! Currently, it’s available in the iOS Apple Store (Search: Haunt Chicago). Hurry and download the APP today!
Stages, Screens, and Screams
Have any energy left? Need something to do on those off-nights? Ok, once you stop laughing, here’s some fun ways to try and enhance your Halloween season:
MOVIES: It wouldn’t be the scaring season without a dash of horror flickering on the big screen. Here’s what we have to look forward to this season. 9/25: “Before I Wake” helps us awake from our slumber, as does a second dash of “Hotel Transylvania.” 10/2: Kringle comes early with, “A Christmas Horror Story.” 10/16: Who didn’t grow up with some “Goosebumps.” Not your cup of tea? Go red with “Crimson Peak.” 10/23: Can’t get enough of the “Paranormal Activity” series? Well, your wish is granted! 10/30: And just in time for Devils’ Night, quite possibly the most anticipated movie of the season, “Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse.” Don’t want your Halloween to end there? Hold on for, “The Hallow” on 11/13, “Victor Frankenstein” on 11/25, and “Krampus” on 12/4.
MUSIC: Not a ton to report on the music front this season. Scorpions play the Allstate on 9/26. Rob Zombie plays his haunt in Villa Park on 10/2. Blues Traveler hops in at HOB on 10/3, as well as Insane Clown Posse at the Odeum in Villa Park on 10/3. Rob Zombie comes back and plays again on 10/4. Kaskade docks at Navy Pier on 10/17. Madison rockers, Garbage, play the Riv on the 17th as well. Smallpools also drops by HOB, but on 10/24. Unfortunately, this may be a turn up the music in the car type-of-month.
TV: The new fall horror/comedy “Scream Queens” made its debut on Fox on September 22nd. The new reboot, “Heroes Reborn” began September 24th. “Once Upon a Time” returns on September 27th. “Sleepy Hollow” returns for its 3rd season on Fox on October 1st. “iZombie returns to the CW on October 6th. “American Horror Story” has a 5th chapter: “Hotel”, which you can check into starting on October 7th. And “Grimm” returns late in the season just in time for Halloween on October 30th.
STAGE: “Wicked: The Musical” flies into Madison, WI at the Overture Center for the Arts for a limited engagement starting October 21st – November 1st.
DVD: For those that might need a relaxing night at home, when you aren’t busy working. Here are some great movies & TV series making their way to DVD. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is released on October 2nd. “American Horror Story: Freak Show” will let you be a part of their circus on October 6th. If you’re looking for some adventure, “Jurassic World” stomps into stores on October 20th.
PARTY: While everyone has to attend at least one Halloween shindig, Madison’s infamous, “Freakfest” will be hosted on Saturday, October 31st.
HAWKS: The Chicago Blackhawks host their season opener against the New York Rangers, where they will raise their 6th Stanley Cup banner on Wednesday, October 7th.
(Although we intend for all dates and locations to be accurate, please check/research before setting off on your journey.)
Opening Weekend is Here
For many attractions, today marks the start of the 2015 season. The following attractions are open this weekend:
13th Floor Chicago in Melrose Park, IL
Basement of the Dead in Aurora, IL
Estate of Terror in Walworth, WI
Evil Intentions in Elgin, IL
Fables Studios “Project Chaos” in Elgin, IL
House of Torment Chicago in Morton Grove, IL
Massacre Haunted House in Montgomery, IL
Niles Haunted House Scream Park in Niles, MI
Racine Factory of Fear in Racine, WI
Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare in Villa Park, IL
The Haunted Barn in Stoughton, WI
Regardless of where you scream at, keep checking Haunted House Chicago all season long for everything to make your holiday season the best yet!
Reviews begin on Saturday, September 26th! To follow the Review Team on the road this season, follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram!
www.twitter.com/HauntedHouseChi
www.facebook.com/HauntedHouseChicagoReviewTeam
www.instagram.com/HauntedHouseChicago
From all of our staff, have a frightful and safe Halloween Season!
-The Haunted House Chicago Review Team
