Wednesday, September 29, 2021

It's alive (almost)! Spirits on Sproat opens Friday

Halloween is right around the corner – and so is the start of our Spirits on Sproat schedule. Just a reminder that we officially open in two days, on Friday, October 1, from  7-11 p.m. For our full schedule, click here.

Michael Myers hopes to see you and your family this season. Please remember to bring and use a facemask during your visit, which we may require if COVID numbers increase.

Happy Halloween season everyone!

Monday, September 13, 2021

Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn expands dates, rooms, actors, and props in 2021

In 2020, Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn proved that a commercial haunted attraction could operate safely and successfully, despite the pandemic—and without compromising on scares. Fans rewarded that commitment to quality by coming out in droves and selling out most dates on the calendar, with no resulting cases of coronavirus reported.

This year, Midnight Terror plans to up the fright factor by going bigger and better than ever for its seventh consecutive season. It will nearly double the number of days on its schedule from last year, operating across a record 22 dates beginning Sept. 24 and ending Oct. 31. Additionally, Chicagoland’s favorite Halloween destination will add more actors, animatronic props, rooms, and special effects to its labyrinth layout, which boasts two connecting haunts under its roof, each with a different theme but both included with a paid ticket.

Visitors will also enjoy covered outdoor and indoor waiting as well as entertainment provided by a DJ, photo opportunities before entering and departing, and online ticket discounts during the first three weeks of operation. And unlike last year, a limited number of same-day on-site tickets will be available to walk-up patrons, while supplies last.

“We’ve improved how our costumed characters interact with the audience by building in more jump scares and surprises, too,” says haunt creator/co-owner Justin Cerniuk. “We’ve redesigned many rooms to evoke a different emotion or reaction, such as claustrophobia, fear of bugs, and smells that trigger terror. Our fan-favorite chainsaw alley that concludes the experience has been reimagined, as well.”

Perhaps most significantly, one of Midnight Terror’s two haunt themes has been updated. Formerly known as Black Oak Grove, it’s now known as Willow’s Nightmare, adding a new chapter to the continuing terrifying narrative of Willow, a wraithlike female haunted and possessed by evil beings. The other haunt, Factory of Malum, is named after a demonic overlord who has enslaved an army of monstrous minions hell-bent on preventing you from making it out of their industrial complex of creatures alive.

If you miss out on any of the fun in September and October, you can try to claim tickets to Midnight Terror’s popular annual Clown Takeover dates, Nov. 5 and 6, when the haunt is completely populated by evil circus dwellers (tickets start at $28).

To cater to families and the easily frightened, Midnight Terror will conduct daytime scenic tours from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 31 for a reduced price ($20 per ticket). This allows groups of all ages to walk through the haunt with the lights and special effects on. On these dates, children are encouraged to arrive wearing Halloween costumes but must be accompanied by an adult.

Midnight Terror has been voted a top 10 haunted attraction in the entire country by readers of USA Today, rated as a 2020 top 10 haunt by TheScareFactor.com, declared the number one haunted house in all of Illinois by Fox 32 Chicago, and highly recommended by Thrillist, NBC, the Chicago Tribune, Patch.com, Haunted House Chicago, Illinois Haunted Houses, and others.

Cerniuk says his haunt will carefully follow updated coronavirus safety protocols and guidelines issued by local and state authorities. Check
Midnight Terror’s posted COVID-19 policies for the latest updates and details on precautions being taken.

Midnight Terror Haunted House is located at 5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn, Ill., 60453, just east of the intersection of Central Avenue and 111th Street. General admission per person starts at $28 online and $30 at the onsite ticket booth; VIP admission per person, which provides faster entry without having to wait in the general admission line, is $45. Or you can purchase immediate admission ($60 per person), which guarantees instant entry into the haunt.

Visitors can park for free on-site. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine, from:
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sept. 24 and 25, Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 31
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 26, and Oct. 3, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 27, and 28, and Nov. 5 and 6
7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30

For more information, visit MidnightTerror.com or email midnightterror.info@gmail.com.

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Spirits on Sproat Halloween display returns in one month

Eager for some good news in 2021? Perk up, Halloween fans: Your favorite Halloween house will reopen for a new season in only one month, on Friday, Oct. 1.

For Spirits on Sproat's 18th season, we've decided to focus mostly on monstrous animatronics--you know, the kind that move, talk, growl, howl, laugh maniacally, and give you nightmares. Check out several new animated figures we're adding this year, which will bring our total number of props to nearly 100 (!). And while you're here, don't forget to be on the lookout for Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees creeping around.

Our 2021 schedule, which can be viewed here, calls for us to be open 19 days in October (weather permitting). Take time out next month--and a few minutes away from possible White Sox playoff games (go Sox!)--to come visit our expanded display (featured twice on Svengoolie's TV show), which is shaping up to be our biggest and best ever.

Please bring a mask, just in case. Depending on the COVID numbers at the time, and local rules/guidelines, we may require all Spirits on Sproat visitors to wear a mask to prevent spread of the coronavirus, as we did last year. (Thanks for being such good sports about that in 2020.)

It's time to get your Halloween on! See you next month...