Oak Lawn’s Midnight Terror Haunted House voted #1 “must-see haunt” in Illinois by fans

Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn, which opens for its fifth season on September 28, was recently ranked the top “Must-See Haunt” in the entire state of Illinois by TheScareFactor.com, based on votes by fans. Midnight Terror beat out many other well-known Chicagoland-area commercial haunts in earning this honor.

Now in its third straight year at its larger location (5520 W. 111^th St.), Midnight Terror Haunted House is riding a wave of increasing popularity, visitor acclaim, and strong word-of-mouth. Visitor counts have increased exponentially every year since the haunt relocated to its current site in 2016. Positive ratings online and via social media have certainly helped, and the site has been ranked in top 10 lists from the Chicago Tribune, Fox News, Haunted House Chicago, Illinois Haunted House and more. Creator/co-owner Justin Cerniuk attributes this success to several factors.

“We don’t rely on big animatronics. We work hard with our actors to give customers the best possible show,” says Cerniuk. “Our actors are given creative freedom versus having to follow a rigid script, which allows them to scare better. Plus, we provide haunt actor training all year long, not just a few days before we open.”

Secondly, he notes that the industry norm is to merely update a few rooms in a haunt during the offseason. “But we’ve spent the past 10 months designing a whole new layout, with all new rooms and every costumed character re-envisioned.”

Additionally, Cerniuk says he runs Midnight Terror as a family, not a corporation. “We build every aspect of the show as a group of friends who share the same passion and vision of the haunt industry,” he adds, noting that he and his managers also don costumes and scare along with the crew, which keeps morale high.

What’s more, every year Midnight Terror offers a great array of value-added promotions and discounts. In 2018, visitors can claim: 

·         Half-price tickets ($12.50 general admission) when purchased online at midnightterror.com and on opening weekend (Sept. 28-30).

·         $5 off for students with a school ID every Thursday or Sunday.

·         $5 off when you bring in any other haunted house ticket stub.

·         $5 off for military personal with a valid ID.

·         Free souvenir (Midnight Terror button, sticker or headband) when you take a picture at the on-site photo booth.

·         The clowns take over on Nov. 3 – The haunt is entirely populated by evil circus denizens for one “Clown Takeover” night, with a limited supply of half-price tickets now available (only $10 when purchased online).

·         Santa goes psycho on Dec. 14-16. That’s when Midnight Terror transforms into “Christmas Fear,” with a limited supply of half-price tickets now available (only $10 when purchased online).

·         Take a photo of you and a Midnight Terror actor stalking the waiting line, share the image on social media in October (using hashtag #MidnightTerror), and you may win two free tickets to Christmas Fear (Dec. 14-16).

The haunt has earned considerable goodwill in the community, too. Midnight Terror partners with different charities every year and rewards its patrons. New for 2018:

·         For every ticket bought on-site on Sundays, $1 will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

·         Free trick-or-treating for kids 12 and younger (who are accompanied by an adult) on October 31 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.; this annual tradition is appreciated by area families, whose children are given candy and a fun “lights-on” tour of the haunt by actors appearing in friendly mode.

Lastly, Midnight Terror’s scares truly satisfy. Visitor reviews continually hit on a prevailing theme: the fright factor at this haunt is exceptionally high.

“We pride ourselves on designing a uniquely terrifying and creatively horrific haunted house experience that keeps the crowds coming back for more,” says Cerniuk. He notes that Midnight Terror benefits from more than 60 rooms, over 100 actors, and 26,000-plus square feet. “The Midnight Terror production crew custom make every one of our props and sets. And our state-of-the-art animatronic, CGI, lighting, and sound effects are comparable to those used in a big-budget Hollywood horror movie.”

Midnight Terror Haunted House is located at 5520 W. 111^th St., Oak Lawn, Ill., 60453, just east of the intersection of Central Avenue and 111^th Street. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office on site: regular admission per person is $25 at the door (discounts may be available online); VIP admission per person, which provides faster entry without having to wait in the general admission line, is $35 at the door. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine (an indoor waiting area is provided), from: 7-10 p.m. on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30 and 31; and from 7-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (Sept. 28 and 29; Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27; and Nov. 3). Visitors can park for free at the Oak Lawn Metra station parking garage (located at 9525 Tulley Ave.) and take a complimentary round-trip shuttle – with costumed characters aboard to entertain passengers – to the Midnight Terror site.

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

Spirits on Sproat back from the dead on October 5

Your favorite Halloween haunt is returning from the grave for another season. Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead will reopen on Friday, October 5 and welcome visitors for 19 days this October.

To view the 2018 dates, hours and details, click here.

We're open Oct. 30, too

Just a reminder that Spirits on Sproat is open tonight, Monday, Oct. 30, from 7-10 p.m.

We are, of course, also open on Halloween from 7-11 p.m.

Come on out for your final chances to visit everyone's favorite home haunt!

Spirits on Sproat featured in new Chicago Tribune/Daily Southtown article

The Chicago Tribune/Daily Southtown has just published an article by reporter Mike Nolan that offers a roundup of area home haunts worth visiting.

Spirits on Sproat  and its owner are featured in the story, which you can read by visiting www.tinyurl.com/2017hauntsct. 

Spirits on Sproat open thru Halloween; Facebook video contest extended

Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead is now open every night through Halloween. Hours are 7-10 p.m. Oct. 26, 29 and 30; and 7-11 p.m. Oct. 27, 28 and 31. Come on out...if you dare!

Also, we're extending the deadline on our Facebook video contest to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. We encourage you to post videos and photos taken at our display; the person who posts a video we choose as the best will receive two free VIP tickets to Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn--a $70 value. The winner will be announced the afternoon of Oct. 29, and this person can pick up the tickets from our haunt and use them on Oct. 29, 30 or 31. So keep posting those videos and photos!

Spirits on Sproat gets Svengoolie's attention

Three figures on display at Spirits on Sproat are getting their 15 minutes of fame, courtesy of Svengoolie, Chicagoland's very own TV horror host. The three characters are Elvira, Svengoolie himself, and the London After Midnight vampire (famous as the logo of Creature Features on channel 9 back in the 1970s).

First, Sven has chosen a photo of the threesome for his "Photo of the month" in his October newsletter, pictured below. (To subscribe to Svengoolie's free e-newsletter, by the way, visit svengoolie.com, scroll down to the middle of the page, and you'll see an option to enter your email address and subscribe.)

Second, Sven has promised us that he will feature this same photograph on his TV program sometime in November. He doesn't yet know which date, so you'll have to tune in any Saturday night in November (7-9 p.m. central on MeTV) around 8:30 p.m. to catch it.

Thanks, Sven, for the terror-ific TLC!

Spirits on Sproat now open every night thru Halloween

Spirits on Sproat is now open for 11 straight nights, from October 20 to October 31.

Hours are 7-11 p.m. on Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31; open 7-10 p.m. all other remaining nights in October.

There's still time to meet Michael Myers and all the other horror all-stars you love from your favorite scary movies, TV shows and stories.

When you visit, be sure to play our two scavenger hunt games (look for signage) and take photos and videos that we hope you'll post on our Facebook page. You could win 2 VIP tickets to Midnight Terror Haunted House if you post your content by October 26! (Visit here for details).

Spook spotlight: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

Svengoolie maybe Chicago's most beloved TV horror host, but arguably the most famous one nationwide is the curvaceous creature feature hostess Elvira, better known as" Mistress of the Dark." Here's the dossier on this dominatrix queen of the B movies:

• Nickname: Late night TV horror hostess with the mostest
• Little-known fact: A vampire that bit her died of silicone poisoning
• Graduated from: The school of hard knockers with a major in bad puns
• Motto: Slay ’em with cleavage, not a cleaver

Spook spotlight: Alfred Hitchcock

There have been many memorable film directors in history – Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Orson Welles, etc. but the most famous and arguably the best of them all is none other than Alfred Hitchcock, director of such masterpieces as Psycho, North by Northwest, The Birds, and others. Want to know more about this heavyweight champion filmmaker? Read on…

• Known as: The master of suspense and the most famous movie director in history
• Phobias: Heights, birds, policemen, breaking another director’s chair
• Catch phrases: “Good evening,” “Make the audience suffer as much as possible,” “Take a cold shower.”
• Words that sum him up: Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, cameo, fatso 

Spook spotlight: Beetlejuice

If you're a fan of comedies and horror films, you've likely seen Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice" from the late 1980s. While this famous character doesn't appear in the film for long, he steals every scene he's in. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Catch-phrases: “It’s showtime!” “I’m the ghost with the most,” “Let’s turn on the juice and see what shakes loose.”
• Suffers from: Tooth rot, flesh-eating bacteria, diarrhea of the mouth
• Little-known fact: If you say his name 4 times, he’ll use more 4-letter words
• Nickname: Scars and stripes

Spook spotlight: the London After Midnight vampire

Here's a gruesome ghoul you may not be acquainted with – it's the unnamed vampire character from one of the most famous lost films of all time: London after Midnight, a 1927 silent movie starring the master of disguises Lon Chaney Sr. The terrifying visage of Chaney in this role was the stuff of nightmares for many a monster movie fan and inspired filmmakers and writers like Stephen King. Here's what we know about this obscure cur:

• Played by: Lon Chaney in the lost 1927 silent movie
• Known for: Being the face of Channel 9’s “Creature Features” in the 1970s
• Aliases: The man in the beaver hat, piranha-mouth, Bulging-eyes-Bob
• Sick of his mother telling him: It’s not polite to point

Guide to other area yard displays and home haunts

Oak Lawn Patch recently published a roundup article listing visit-worthy home haunts and yard displays throughout the south suburbs of Chicago. Spirits on Sproat made the list, as well as several others you may want to check out.

To see the article/list, click here.

Spook spotlight: Scarycrow

Most farmer's scarecrows are the cute and cuddly type, with a patchwork quilt face and a stitched-on grin of friendliness. But this maize mannequin is monstrously morose if not downright zombiefied. Crows and humans alike – you've been warned. Here are more fun facts about Scarycrow:

• Sick of: The dry cleaner’s excuse for why the bird dropping stains can’t come out
• Catch-phrase: “That’s the last straw”
• Little-known fact: Auditioned for “The Wizard of Oz,” but lost the part after changing the lyrics to “If I Could Only Eat Some Brains”
• Known for: Corny jokes, stuffing himself at mealtime, always picking the short straw

Enter the Spirits on Sproat Facebook video contest

Here's another great reason to visit Spirits on Sproat: you can win two VIP admission tickets to Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn--a $70 value and a great opportunity to experience Chicagoland's best commercial haunted attraction without having to wait in a long line!

Here's what you need to do:

1. Take video during your 2017 visit to Spirits on Sproat. 
2. Post it to our Facebook page (at fb.com/spiritsonsproat) by October 26. (We'd also love for you to share photos taken during your visit, so post those, too.) 
3. Like us on Facebook.
4. Share your posted video on your own Facebook timeline. Make sure the post is public.

We'll judge the best video and award the winner the two tickets, which they can pick up from Michael Myers himself between October 27 and Halloween night.

A few tips on taking and submitting videos:

• We prefer horizontal video over vertical video (it fills up and looks better on the screen)
• We especially love footage of our live scarers (like Michael Myers and Jason) creeping up and scaring people.
• Please aim for a reasonable video length; not too short (at least 30 seconds) or too long (not longer than 3 minutes) please.
• Do not post video recorded in past years. Only post fresh video recorded between Oct. 1 and Oct. 24, 2017, please.
• We will contact the chosen winner privately via Facebook on October 25 to arrange pickup of the tickets. Prepare to show a valid ID when you pick up the tickets.

Good luck, and happy Halloween season!

Spook spotlight: Oogie Boogie

If there was one character that definitely bugged Jack Skellington and Santa Claus in "The Nightmare Before Christmas," it was Oogie Boogie, the walking knapsack with the creepy grin who played with loaded dice and glowed a neon green. Here's what else we've learned about this denizen of the dark:

• Pet peeves: Santa Claus, the sack race, Orkin refusing to issue him a refund
• Often mistaken for: Spongebob’s friend Patrick, the Michelin Man’s evil twin brother, the Pillsbury Doughboy on acid
• Secret shames: Uses loaded dice, has a burlap fetish, gets high off glow-in-the-dark paint fumes

List of other area home haunts now available

Curious to learn about other decorated yard displays to visit this Halloween season besides Spirits on Sproat? The 2017 Chicagoland Home Haunts list is now available for viewing and downloading by visiting tinyurl.com/homehaunt17.

Make your plans to tour each of these spook-tacular home displays this October!

Spirits on Sproat opens tonight

Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead kicks off its 13th season when it reopens tonight, October 1, from 7-10 p.m. We have many new surprises in store for you, including new figures to see and a chance for you to win two VIP tickets to nearby Midnight Terror Haunted House (a $70 value).

For our full schedule and directions, click here.

Hope to see you tonight and any other night we're open in October!

All-new scares planned for Oak Lawn’s Midnight Terror Haunted House in 2017

Demonically possessed workers keep the engines
of fear running at The Factory of Malum.

Demonic workers await your arrival at The Factory of Malum,
one of two haunts included with your admission at
Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn.

Last year, Midnight Terror Haunted House thrilled visitors by moving to a bigger, better location in Oak Lawn. This year, they’ve reinvented that extra space into a “fear-for-all” playground of fright for a more uniquely nightmarish experience.
Determined to give paying customers fresh thrills in 2017, Midnight Terror creator/co-owner Justin Cerniuk and his crew spent the offseason redesigning more than 85 percent of the haunt. But they did more than expand the size of many of the sets, improve the props and wardrobe, and fine-tune the animatronic, CGI, lighting and sound effects. They also “unleashed the monsters.” Translation: the creepy characters lurking around every corner now have the freedom to frighten you in their own creative way.
“Many haunted attractions choreograph their actors too rigidly, making them to do and say the same things and robotically remain within a limited zone. That can get boring and predictable,” says Cerniuk. “We’re letting many of our scarers customize their characters and be more spontaneous and unpredictable. We’ve created more secret spaces for them to hide in and given them a wider territory in which to terrify.”
Rest assured that the golden rule of haunting remains in effect: the hired help isn’t allowed to touch paying customers, and vice versa. That doesn’t mean Midnight Terror’s scream team won’t touch a nerve, however.
“We’re emphasizing more old-school startle effects and jump scares this year. Attendees will appreciate the level of detail in our sets and the impressive theatricality on display. But it’s the sudden shocks that will leave the strongest impression. Prepare to be thoroughly scared,” says Cerniuk, an ex-Marine and Oak Lawn native who launched Midnight Terror in 2014.
“In the military, they call an overwhelming display of force ‘shock and awe.’ Here, we use a different phrase for the same effect—‘shock and saw,’” he says. “They use stealth bombers, we use chainsaws.”
It’s this commitment to horror excellence that’s earned Midnight Terror high praise; in 2016, the attraction was awarded third-place honors for best haunt by IllinoisHauntedHouse.com and was named a top 13 haunt by HauntedHouseChicago.com.
A ticket to Midnight Terror provides admission to two haunted houses in one location. The first is Black Oak Grove, where the ghostly Willow and her cult of possessed followers roam like wraiths throughout the village. Follow their eerie trail as you wind through a cannibalistic butcher shop, a spine-chilling school, a jail where the inhumane inmates are in charge, a disquieting library, and other town fixtures. The second part of your journey leads through the Factory of Malum, 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.
“We’ve created a unique mythology and series of characters that drive the backstory behind these two haunts. Every year, we add a new chapter to this ongoing narrative,” Cerniuk explains. “But you don’t need to be aware of this to come and enjoy Midnight Terror.”
Here’s what patrons can expect in 2017:

This follower of Willow is among the evil
inhabitants of Black Oak Grove,
one of two haunts included with your
admission at Midnight Terror Haunted
House in Oak Lawn.

• A 35-minute walk-through (on average) across two haunted houses
• More than 60 rooms and over 100 actors spread across 26,000+ square feet
• The House of Lilly—a brand-new paranormal escape room (optional for an extra fee)
• Free entertainment for guests waiting in line – such as DJs, stilt walkers and street drummers
• A gift shop where Midnight Terror shirts, hoodies, hats and other apparel as well as Halloween-themed merchandise can be purchased.

Attendees can also claim valuable promotions, including:

• $2 off each ticket when purchased online at midnightterror.com
• Half off regular admission on opening weekend, September 28, 29, 30 and Oct. 1 when purchased online
• $5 off for students with a school ID every Thursday or Sunday
• “Lights-on” trick or treating on October 31 from 3:30-5:30 p.m., when kids 12 and younger can walk through, free of charge, with the lights on and wave to the actors, who will be in friendly mode and giving out candy.

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. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office on site: regular admission per person is $25 at the door or $23 online; VIP admission per person, which provides faster entry without having to wait in the general admission line, is $35 at the door or $33 online. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine (a covered waiting area is provided), from: 7-10 p.m. on Sept. 28, Oct. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, 30, and 31; and from 7-11 p.m. on Sept. 29 and 30, Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28. Visitors can park for free at the Oak Lawn Metra station parking garage (located at 9525 Tulley Ave.) and take a complimentary round-trip shuttle – with costumed characters aboard to entertain passengers – to the Midnight Terror site.
For more information, visit www.midnightterror.com or email midnightterror.info@gmail.com. 

We now have a Facebook page

Spirits on Sproat now has its own Facebook page that you can like and follow at facebook.com/spiritsonsproat. Every announcement we post at welovehalloween.blogspot.com will now also be identically posted on our Facebook page.

What's more, we encourage you to post photos and videos, taken during your visit to Spirits on Sproat this October, to our Facebook page. We'll be announcing a best video contest and prize soon.

Stay tuned for more news and updates about Spirits on Sproat coming soon!

Spirits on Sproat returns on October 1

Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead, your favorite neighborhood Halloween haunt, will reopen with all-new chills and thrills as well as fan-favorite props and characters on Sunday, October 1 from 7-10 p.m.

We're preparing our biggest and best season yet of terrifying fun designed to scare the yell out of visitors, so make your plans to visit this October. Michael Myers and his crew of creatures will be waiting for you.

To view our 2017 schedule, click here.

Creepy clowns converge on Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn on Nov. 4-5

The Ringleader serves as the master of scare-a-monies
at Midnight Terror's Clown Takeover.

Throughout 2016, creepy clown sightings have dominated the news. Now, sinister circus exiles everywhere have descended on Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn, which will present a special two-day-only “Clown Takeover” haunt on Friday, November 4, and Saturday, November 5, from 7-11 p.m.

Midnight Terror, which wraps up its third annual Halloween-themed attraction on October 31, has decided to extend its season by hosting these two encore dates. But it isn’t simply reopening its doors and repeating what it offered in October – the haunt will be completely redesigned with all-new characters, costumes, props and themes that play upon our innate fear of clowns.

“This will be an entirely new and unique haunted house totally different from what we offered in October,” says Justin Cerniuk, Midnight Terror creator/co-owner and Oak Lawn native. “We will have over 100 clown characters, each with a one-of-a-kind personality, costume, and backstory. Visitors will be treated to a lot of shocks and surprises as they rediscover Midnight Terror in a whole different way from what they previously experienced.”

Here’s the scary scenario Cerniuk conceived: The unnerving clowns spotted across Chicagoland this year have been kidnapped by Boss Clown and his greasepaint-faced minions and brought back to Midnight Terror Haunted House. There, the unleashed clowns wreak havoc and force everyone they come in contact with to join their evil jester ranks. The brave souls who venture into Clown Takeover territory will encounter a myriad of monstrous mimes, putrid pranksters, fiendish fools, big-red-nosed brutes, and cartoonishly colored cut-ups eager to cut you up, including The Ringleader, Dynamite Dave, the Balloon Buster, The Twins, and Boss Clown himself. Attendees can even choose to have a free quick-change “clown makeover” (while supplies last). For more clues about what to expect and to view a promotional video that introduces the characters, visit MidnightTerror.com; for special discounts and promotions to this event, visit Midnight Terror’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/midnightterrorhauntedhouse.

“Tickets are bound to go quickly because this is such a limited engagement event, so you’ll need to act fast if you want to be among the lucky few to experience our Clown Takeover,” says Cerniuk, who adds that the encore dates provide an extra opportunity to attend Midnight Terror for Cubs fans who didn’t want to miss any playoffs games (the World Series wraps up by November 2).

Highlights of the Clown Takeover edition of Midnight Terror include:
• A 30-minute walk-through (on average) across two indoor haunted houses
• More than 60 rooms to explore
• Over 100 actors
• Over 50 props custom made for Midnight Terror, Hollywood-style CGI effects, a cutting-edge lighting system, and a state-of-the-art sound system
• Free entertainment for guests waiting in line – among them street drummers, stilt walkers and DJs.

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. Tickets can be purchased online at or at the box office on site: regular admission per person is $25 at the door or $23 online; VIP admission per person, which provides faster entry without having to wait in the general admission line, is $35 at the door or $31 online. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine (a covered waiting area is provided), from 7-11 p.m. on November 4 and 5 only. Visitors can park for free at the Oak Lawn Metra station parking garage (located at 9525 Tulley Ave.) and take a complimentary round-trip shuttle – with costumed characters aboard to entertain passengers – to the Midnight Terror site. For more information, visit midnightterror.com or email midnightterror.info@gmail.com.

Spirits on Sproat earns Golden Chainsaw for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead has received a Golden Chainsaw Hall of Fame rating from The Horror Tourers, a group of well-traveled fans who critique home haunts and commercial Halloween attractions. We are honored to be awarded this rare and prestigious designation.

It's not too late to see the display for yourself – we're open every night now through Halloween. Thanks to The Horror Tourers for their kind commentary, which you can view below.

Spook spotlight: Meet the Bride of Chucky

Good things come in small packages, it's been said. But bad girls come in ultra-petite sizes sometimes, as is the case with the Bride of Chucky, who looks like she could fit into a diaper as easily as she could a sexy halter top. Here's what we know about her:
• Also known as: Tiffany, dollface, devil in a toddler’s dress
• Dirty little secret: She married Chucky for his money and plans to strangle him as soon as she lands a morning TV talk show deal
• Pet peeve: When Chucky forgets to put the potty chair seat down
• Favorite book: “Little Women”

Spook spotlight: Meet Vincent Price

Boris Karloff may be considered the most famous horror actor in Hollywood history, but many would argue that the crown really goes to Vincent Price, who made his bones playing creepy characters and countless fright films. Here's what we know about Mr. Price:
• Favorite TV show: “The Price is Right”
• Weapon of choice: His sharply trimmed mustache
• Often seen at: The House of Wax, The House of Usher, The House on Haunted Hill, The House of Boos
• Secret shame: Broke his pelvis while trying to moonwalk during his rap in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

Spook spotlight: Meet Sally

It's not easy being a mad scientist's plaything or the patchwork girlfriend to a bald-headed albino with multiple personality disorder. But Sally sallies forth and rises above the fray (and the frayed fabric, too) as the queen of Halloweentown. Here are 4 fun facts about Sally:
• Favorite song: “Rag Doll” by Aerosmith
• Secret talent: She keeps Jack Skellington in stitches
• Weapons of choice: Deadly nightshade, a needle and thread, sexy detachable gams
• Personal heroes: Raggedy Ann, Lucille Ball, the Bride of Frankenstein

Spook spotlight: Jack Skellington

He may be tall and wiry, but Jack Skellington is fat in the head with fun plans for Halloweentown. He likes to sing, dance, play Santa Claus, and spend time with Sally, among other pastimes. Jack is also known for the following:
• Aliases: The King of Halloween, Bone Daddy, baseball head
• Suffers from: Anorexia, multiple personality disorder, lazy Hollywood agents who can’t get him a movie sequel
• Little-known fact: Once sued Billy Corgan for copying his look
• Least-favorite holiday town:  Canadian Boxing Day Town

Spook spotlight: Slappy

Even a dummy knows that the most feared character in the Goosebumps series is Slappy, the pint-sized villain with a Napoleon complex who wants to make the world grovel at his feet – which is a pretty low place to be. Fascinating facts about Slappy include:
• Favorite book: “World Domination for Dummies”
• Personal heroes: Charlie McCarthy, Howdy Doody, George W. Bush
• Phobias: Termites, fireplaces, monocles, bony knees
• Little-known fact: Has scared millions of children but is afraid to ask Annabelle for a date

Spook spotlight: The Flying Monkey

They say humans descended from the apes. If that's true, where's our wings? That's a question you may want to ask the Flying Monkey, who's always ready to do the evil bidding of the Wicked Witch of the West. Want to learn more?
• Known for: Capturing Dorothy, guarding the witch’s castle, making it rain ape dookie on stupid humans below
• Hates: Organ grinders, Jane Goodall, “Shock the Monkey,” “Bedtime for Bonzo”
• Favorite food: Liquefied witch

Spook spotlight: the evil witch from Snow White

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But after eating an apple from the Witch from Snow White, you won't need a doctor – you'll need an undertaker. She bears a basket of bad luck and a mirror full of malevolence. Steer clear and be mindful of these facts:
• Nickname: Miss October
• Weapon of choice: Toadstools, eye of Newt Gingrich
• Dirty little secret: Prefers battery-operated broomsticks
• Favorite performer: Stevie Nicks

Spook spotlight: Pennywise the clown

Bozo was America's favorite TV clown for many moons. But Pennywise, the evil sewer dweller from Stephen King's "It," snatched the top clown crown from consumer consciousness in the early 1990s and never let go. The dossier on Pennywise reads as follows:
• Nicknames: Pound foolish, balloon goon, Wonder bread, Baldy McDonald
• Voted in high school: No. 1 class clown
• Secret shame: That’s his real nose
• Little-known fact: Banana peels instantly turn black before he slips on them

Spook spotlight: Meet the Wicked Witch of the West

She's the green-skinned goddess who's made us melt since young childhood – the black-clad broomstick-riding badass who has minions of flying monkeys and Winkies at her command. She's the Wicked Witch of the West, and she won't stop until she gets those ruby slippers. Consider these facts:
• Bet you didn’t know: She likes to dunk her Munchkins in coffee
• High-tech pastime: Skyping in the sky using cloud-based messages like “Surrender Dorothy”
• Secret wish: That somebody would drop a house on those lazy, good-for-nothing flying monkeys

List of Chicagoland Halloween haunts now posted

Spirits on Sproat isn't the only Halloween-themed property worth visiting this October. Want a list of Chicago-area Halloween yard displays as well as paid haunted attractions? The 2016 list of Chicagoland Home Haunts is now ready for viewing/downloading. Click here to access it.

Spirits on Sproat ready for prime time this Saturday

Your favorite Halloween haunt, Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead, will reopen to the public for its 13th season this Saturday, October 1, from 7-11 PM. We've got lots of new characters and surprises for you to discover, so make plans to visit this weekend, or any of our open dates in October (click here for full schedule).

Midnight Terror Haunted House moves to massive new location in Oak Lawn

Things can get messy in the Black Oak Grove butcher shop.

When it comes to fun Halloween scares, the bigger the better – which explains why Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn has relocated to a mammoth new site for its third season. Visitors to this year’s edition of Oak Lawn’s first ever commercial haunted attraction can expect an incredible value: two all-new haunted houses for the price of one at a prime indoor location that, compared to last year, offers more than four times the space and a walk-through duration that’s approximately three times longer.

Never content to rest on his laurels or repeat himself, Midnight Terror creator/co-owner and Oak Lawn native Justin Cerniuk wasn’t satisfied with the size or expansion potential of his previous location in the village. That was the 6,000-square-foot Beatty Lumber warehouse property, which hosted the haunt in 2014 and 2015 but was razed over the summer. He and co-owners Robert Page and Maciej Kulawiak found the ideal digs in which to dig up the undead and expand Cerniuk’s ambitious nightmare vision: a former fabrics factory at 5520 W. 111th St., just 3.3 miles south of Midnight Terror’s last address and boasting 26,000 square feet.

“We hit the mother lode when we found this warehouse, which offers so much more room than our previous site,” says Cerniuk, an ex-Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during combat operations there. “I’ve always dreamed of staging a really large, immersive haunted attraction. Now I can – one with a completely unique mythology, wide cast of characters, and ultra-detailed sets and props that combine to create an unforgettably frightening experience. This is going to be above and beyond any other paid haunted house you’ve ever visited.”

Meet Tool – head foreman of the Factory of Malum.

For those who dare to pass beyond Midnight Terror’s portals, here’s the inventive setup fiendishly concocted by Cerniuk and his skeleton crew: The small provincial settlement of Black Oak Grove (in reality the earliest known moniker for what eventually became the village of Oak Lawn) has become Ground Zero for a battle between the forces of good and evil. The once-thriving community has turned into a hellish landscape populated by Stalkers and FearCorps monstrosities lurking around every corner. The only path forward requires following the mark of Willow, a wraithlike female entity searching restlessly for her disappeared father, a factory owner named Sledge. Those who survive the horror of Black Oak Grove must venture through the Factory of Malum, named after the demonic overlord who has enslaved Sledge and his minions within an industrial labyrinth that manufactures your worst fears.

To make these demonic visions come to life, Cerniuk had to start from scratch. So he created a fresh and original storyline driven by an ensemble cast of creatures – each with its own personality, devilishly detailed design, and custom costume. (The story arc is detailed within Willow’s diary entries and brief webisode video segments posted at midnightterror.com.) The reinvented haunt’s mazelike walls were intricately hand-fabricated. Additionally, every nook and cranny along the maze was enhanced with elaborate props, set pieces and fright furniture. They add awe-inspiring color, texture, depth and realism to the environment and make for distinctively themed rooms, passageways and scare stations.

“The level of fine detail in the architecture, wallscapes, props, costumes and makeup, combined with our carefully timed scares and surprises, is impressive. It’s totally unlike any other haunted house,” says Cerniuk, who this year expects to well exceed the 15,000 visitors who attended Midnight Terror in 2015. “For example, we’ve created an enormous replica of an old town main street, featuring a butcher shop, school, library, jail, and mechanic shop, plus a 13-foot high waterfall.”

Highlights of the 2016 version of Midnight Terror include:
• A 30-minute walk-through (on average) across two haunted houses – Black Oak Grove and the Factory of Malum
• More than 60 rooms – double last year’s number
• Over 100 actors – at least 30 more than 2015
• Over 50 props custom made for Midnight Terror, Hollywood-style CGI effects, a cutting-edge lighting system, and a state-of-the-art sound system
• The guidance of skilled haunt industry professionals, among them veteran actor trainer/scare choreographer John Shankel, makeup manager Bonnie Bones, and scenery artist Barbie Hood
• A gift shop where Midnight Terror shirts, hoodies, hats and other apparel as well as Halloween-themed merchandise can be purchased
• Free entertainment for guests waiting in line – among them street drummers, stilt walkers and DJs.

What’s more, attendees can take advantage of valuable promotions, such as:
• $2 off each ticket when purchased online at midnightterror.com
• Half off regular admission on opening night, September 29
• $5 off regular admission on Thursdays in October if you bring an item for a military veteran (a list of acceptable items is posted at midnightterror.com)
• Ladies get $10 off on October 6
• Students with a school ID get $5 off on October 9
• Family Day on October 30 between 3 and 5 p.m., when kids age 12 and younger can walk through, free of charge, with the lights on and wave to the actors, who will be in friendly mode.

Cerniuk is also excited about off-season possibilities at the new location.

“Beginning early next year, we plan to offer laser tag in the same space as well as bookings for private parties,” he says.

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. Tickets can be purchased online at or at the box office on site: regular admission per person is $25 at the door or $23 online; VIP admission per person, which provides faster entry without having to wait in the general admission line, is $35 at the door or $33 online. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine (a covered waiting area is provided), from: 7-10 p.m. on Sept. 29, Oct. 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, and Nov. 4 and 5; and from 7-11 p.m. on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Visitors can park for free at the Oak Lawn Metra station parking garage (located at 9525 Tulley Ave.) and take a complimentary round-trip shuttle – with costumed characters aboard to entertain passengers – to the Midnight Terror site. For more information, visit midnightterror.com or email midnightterror.info@gmail.com.

Spirits on Sproat October 2016 schedule now posted

Eager to learn exactly when Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead is open for visitors this October? We've locked in our calendar and it's ready for viewing by clicking here.

The spirits return on Oct. 1

Your favorite Halloween house is readying for a killer comeback. Mark down Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 on your calendar--that's the night Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead comes back from the dead. This year, we will debut more new props than ever before and expand our dates of operation to a record 19 nights in October (weather permitting), most notably a string of 11 consecutive evenings when we'll be open (Oct. 21-31).

We now have over 50 famous monsters and horror icons from your favorite scary movies waiting to be discovered; joining our ranks for 2016 will be several newly made classic creeps as well as mini miscreants that gave you the willies as a wee little kid (hint-hint).

The Halloween season is right around the corner--can your nerves handle the fright? Make plans to visit Spirits on Sproat and find out! Check back to this site between now and October for more updates and our official schedule.

Spirits on Sproat's Svengoolie spotlighted by the real McCoy

Halloween may be long gone on the calendar, but it's still fresh on the mind of Svengoolie, TV's favorite horror host. He featured our Spirits on Sproat life-size Svengoolie figure on his program last evening during a Christmas season broadcast. Click the video below to view.

Thanks for a great Halloween

The living (and the undead) at Spirits on Sproat want to thank our fans for another fantastic Halloween season. More visitors came to our display in 2015 than in any previous year, which we greatly appreciate. Hard to believe another October has come and gone, but we're already getting excited about plans for 2016. Hope to see you again in 11 months!

A picture is worth a thousand monsters

The official 2015 video of our Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead is now live and ready for prime time. Click on the video below to watch...if you dare!

Spirits on Sproat named to the Horror Tourers Hall of Fame

The Horror Tourers, a group of dedicated and well-traveled reviewers who evaluate professional haunted attractions as well as home haunts, has just named Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of Dead to its Hall of Fame for the 2015 season!

It's quite an honor for a non-professional yard display that started from humble beginnings with meager props back in 2004 and has grown into one of the south suburbs' favorite Halloween destinations.

Thanks to The Horror Tourers for their kind words and generous review, which are captured in a review video you can view by clicking here or on the video below.

Spirits on Sproat mentioned as one of the best south suburban haunts

The Chicago Tribune/Daily Southtown has just published a new article on south suburban home haunts that rise above the pack, and Spirits on Sproat is mentioned as one of the notables.

Click here to read the full story.

Spook spotlight: Evil Ash

The evil dead refuse to stay dead – thankfully for us – as evidenced by a new cable series based on the popular horror film franchise. The key character, of course, is Ash, who has a penchant for turning evil himself from time to time, as demonstrated in" Evil Dead 2." Here's the full scoop on Ash's demonic alter ego:

• Afraid of: The Book of the Dead, cabins in the woods, Kris Jenner
• Secret shame: His severed and possessed right hand constantly flips him the bird
• Favorite films: Evil Dead 2, The Exorcist, The 3 Stooges Meet Hercules
• Favorite book: A Farewell to Arms

Spook spotlight: Nosferatu

What you get when you cross the bloodsucking undead with Wienerschnitzel? Nosferatu, of course. This vampire with a solar sex panel can transform from a man to a bat and back again with the precision and efficiency of a fine German automobile. Want to know more? Consider:

• Otherwise known as: The German Dracula, sauerkraut fangs, Old tall bald and gruesome
• Inventor of: Goth, the Bauhaus movement, the Autobahn, German Expressionism, the Snuggie
• Favorite pigout food: Authentic Oktoberfest blood sausage

Spook spotlight: Annabelle

What is it about clowns and dolls that scare the bejeezus out of children (and lots of grown-ups, too)? To help explain the latter, consider this creepy counterfeit kid, better known as Annabelle. She's got nightmare written all over her. But, to lighten your dreams a little, here are a few fun facts about this demonic doll:

• Known for: Being the creepy doll in “The Conjuring,” giving children nightmares, her off-again/on-again romance with Chucky
• Favorite pastime: Turning Cabbage Patch Kids’ hair white from fright
• Secret shame: Every time she loses a child beauty pageant her fussy stage mom takes away her cell phone privileges

Spook spotlight: Carol Anne

Want to scare your kids away from watching too much TV? Have them take a peek at Carol Anne, the wee little star from "Poltergeist." Where you and I see snow on the screen, she sees dead people, and she doesn't even have the sixth sense. Here are more strange but (probably not) true facts about Carol Anne:

• Catchphrases: “They’re here…” “I’m afraid of the light, mommy.” “Would it kill you to score some One Direction tickets?”
• Secret wish: That dad would quit being so cheap and buy a hi-def flatscreen TV already
• Sick of hearing mom say: “Standing too close to the television is bad for your soul, sweetie.”

Spook spotlight: Medusa

Some of us have a bad hair day. But just imagine rolling out of bed and seeing a head full of hissing serpents staring back at you in the mirror. That's Medusa's lot in life. One gander at her can turn you to stone forever, so be careful. Intrigued to learn more? Here's the lowdown on this beauty pageant contestant:

• Catchphrase: If looks could kill
• Little-known fact: Needs an injection of anti-venom every time she brushes her hair
• Secret wish: To be America’s Next Top Model
• Little-known fact: Can turn a drunk man stone cold sober

Spook spotlight: Jack Torrance

You don't have to be clairvoyant to know that there is trouble brewing at the Overlook Hotel, temporary home to Jack Torrance and his helpless family. Jack's recovering from a clear case of cabin fever, and now that he's on the loose, anybody could be his next victim. Here are Jack's quick facts:

• Favorite pun: Axe me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies
• Little-known fact: Sold 10 million copies of his novel “All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy”
• Pet peeve: When hotels forget to leave a mint on his pillow
• Mother’s advice he failed to heed: Button up that overcoat or you’ll freeze to death

Spook spotlight: Meet Zeke

Introducing Zeke the slack-jawed zombie, cousin to undead Zed. Zeke is chomping at the bit to get a gander at all the crowds who will be coming to see him this October. Here's a quick dossier on not-so-sleek Zeke:

• Favorite song: “If I Only Had a Brain”
• Original cause of death: One botox injection too many
• Nickname: Brad Pitt without the pulse
• Preferred vacation spots: Cabo San Mucus, Club Ded, Maliboo, Murder Beach, Gland Canyon

Spook spotlight: Norman Bates

Here's a Norman who's far from normal. I mean, just look at the getup. And that wig. And that cleaver. He's about to shower you with attention of the terrifying kind. Still don't recognize him? If you haven't seen the greatest horror movie ever made, "Psycho," then Norman Bates may not be a household name in your mental Rolodex. But it should be. Get cultured up – without getting cut up – by seeing the classic film posthaste. Meanwhile, study up on what makes Norman tick:

• Favorite holiday: Mother’s Day
• Pet peeve: Motel guests who leave soap scum on the shower walls
• Little-known fact: Gets his hair done at the beauty parlor on senior discount Thursdays
• Title of his autobiography: It’s a Wonderful Knife

Spook spotlight: Carrie White

Teenage girls can be so cruel. Especially when they splatter pig's blood all over you after setting up an elaborate scheme to make you think that the school's top hunk truly wants to be your prom date. But revenge is a dish best served White – as in Carrie White. What else do we know what Carrie? Plenty...

• Favorite band: My Bloody Valentine
• High school achievements: Named to the horror roll and scream’s list every semester
• Catchphrase: Blood is thicker than water
• Has nightmares about: The fashion police

Spook spotlight: The Grim Reaper

Not to be confused with The Angel of Death (who's flying around in our backyard somewhere and also covering his skull face with a black hood), The Grim Reaper likes to look about with flashing eyes and scope out the scene. Don't let your eyes meet, however – he might just harvest your soul prematurely. Here are some more interesting tidbits about this dude:

• Movie appearances: “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life,” “The Seventh Seal,” “Transformers 15” (the one where everybody finally dies thanks to his uncredited cameo)
• Nickname: Scythe for sore eyes, Mr. Buzzkill
• Secret wish: That the average human lifespan was at least 50 years longer (his feet are killing him)

Spook spotlight: Svengoolie

Chicagoland's own beloved horror host, Svengoolie, is now immortalized in our Gallery of the Dead. That's right, Sven has joined the ranks of Spirits on Sproat's army of the undead, and he's wielding one badass rubber chicken. Here's the dossier on Berwyn's favorite son:
• Voted in high school: Most likely to be elected Mayor of Berwyn
• Secret shame: Everything he eats now tastes like rubber chicken
• Moonlights as: The manager of a boy band featuring Tombstone, Durwood and Kerwyn
• Little-known fact: Nearly underwent breast augmentation surgery to beat Elvira’s TV ratings

Spirits on Sproat returns...tonight!

It's October 2, which means Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead is about to be re-animated and come back to life for another season. We open tonight promptly at 7 p.m. There are several new props to discover and surprises in store for visitors, so make plans to come by this weekend. We're just dying for a chance to scare the yell out of you!

Midnight Terror Haunted House in Oak Lawn returns with double the dread

Malum (pictured) runs the factory

Blackwood Hospital is one of two Midnight Terror attractions

Midnight Terror Haunted House made a big splash in 2014 when it debuted as Oak Lawn’s first ever commercial haunted attraction. Now, it’s preparing to awe visitors with an all-new frightfully fun attraction that’s at least twice as large as last year’s. In fact, the site now hosts two uniquely themed haunted houses deviously designed to terrify patrons: (1) Factory of Malum and (2) Blackwood Hospital, both included with the price of admission.

Inspired by rave reviews and an even better-than-expected turnout (over 9,000 customers) last October, Midnight Terror creator/co-owner and Oak Lawn native Justin Cerniuk refused to rest on his laurels or repeat the same haunt. So last November, as soon as his inaugural attraction closed, he went back to the drawing board and began plans for a completely different and expanded Midnight Terror attraction for 2015. Working closely with village officials, Cerniuk and co-owners Robert Page, Maciej Kulawiak and Mark Krupa earned approval to expand their attraction’s footprint beyond the boundaries of the 4,000-square-foot Beatty Lumber warehouse that shelters the walk-through portion of their haunt.

“Now, I get to fulfill a longtime dream of mine – hosting two haunted houses on one site and enhancing the experience for visitors with a greater level of detail and sensory stimuli,” says Cerniuk, a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan during combat operations there. “This year, we created fresh sets, animatronics and props as well as a whole new mythology, backstory and cast of characters that mesh with the themes we’ve built into this two-in-one attraction.”

Visitors first enter the Factory of Malum, the nightmarish industrial headquarters of a demonic dream-haunting overlord named Malum, who has transformed his workshop’s rooms and corridors into architectural manifestations of your worst fears and phobias. As you wind helplessly through Malum’s labyrinth, you come face-to-face with a menagerie of scary simulations, including grotesque insects, snakes, rats, living dolls, sparking electrical hazards, fire-scorched clowns, pitch-black passages, and claustrophobia-inducing narrowed hallways. Accompanying you on this excursion into fear are fellow factory worker fiends who mercilessly shriek, stalk and surprise at virtually every turn.

But your tour of the terrifying doesn’t end there. Next, your mission is to avoid becoming an inpatient at Blackwood Hospital, the warped wards of which you’ll walk warily through in the hopes of being discharged without being dismembered. It’s awfully convenient that a medical center is adjacent to Malum’s factory, but it’s awfully creepy that the hospital beds, surgical tables, and padded cells are occupied by mangled, possessed, and deranged factory employees under the care of the sadistic physician Dr. Blackwood and gnarly nurses who belong in hearses. Souls fortunate enough to escape Blackwood’s confines must lastly brave an outdoor home stretch better known as “Chainsaw Alley” before they can taste freedom.

Yes, it’s safe to say that Cerniuk and crew had a busy off-season.

“We had so many great ideas for a bigger and better haunted attraction that are now being realized,” says Cerniuk, who plans to keep Midnight Terror within Oak Lawn and improve it every year. “Staging this on a bigger scale also meant growing our staff, delegating responsibilities and dramatically increasing our budget.” Consequently, the 2015 edition of Midnight Terror includes:
• More than 30 rooms – 15 more than last year – as well as a new outdoor section.
• 70 actors – 50 more than 2014 – each a distinctive character with a custom costume and makeup.
• The guidance of experienced haunt industry professionals, among them veteran set detailer Dan Haynes and actor trainer John Shankel (who choreographs the scarers’ actions).
• A brand new LED lighting system and improved sound system.
• Hollywood-style CGI effects, including monitors displaying monstrous footage.
• Free entertainment for guests waiting in line – from DJs to stilt walkers to street drummers.

Additionally, visitors can benefit from special promotions, some involving partnerships with community organizations, including:
• Half off regular admission (a $9 value) on opening night, October 1.
• Ladies get $5 off on October 8.
• Students with a school ID get $3 off on October 11.
• Buy one regular admission, get another for half off on October 22.
• First 25 people pay half price regular admission on October 28.
• Family Day on October 31 between 3 and 6 p.m., when kids age 12 and younger can walk through, free of charge, with the lights on and trick or treat with the actors, who will be in friendly mode; during this three-hour period, families can also register early on-site for the 2016 Westside Baseball season or for a local Boy Scout troop.
• An on-site community blood drive (date to be announced soon): anyone who donates blood will receive a half-off regular admission voucher.
• A $3 off coupon (valid on select dates), found online at midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com.

Cerniuk promises that guests will get a great bang for their buck at Midnight Terror, which he says charges much less than other commercial haunted attractions – in fact, admission is as low as $9 after some of the aforementioned discounts. For those who want their chills without the wait, a V.I.P. pass provides fast entry.

Midnight Terror Haunted House is located at 9531 S. 52nd Ave., Oak Lawn, Ill., 60453, near the intersection of 95th Street and 52nd Avenue. Tickets can be purchased online at or at the box office on site: regular admission per person is $18; each V.I.P. pass is $25; discounts for large groups are also available. The attraction is wheelchair accessible and open, rain or shine (a covered waiting area is provided), from: 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 28, and 29 and on Nov. 1; and from 7-11 p.m. on Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31. Visitors can park for free inside the nearby Metra parking garage at 9525 S. Tulley Ave. To purchase tickets in advance, get a coupon worth $3 off admission on select dates, or for more information, visit midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com or email midnightterror.info@gmail.com.

Spirits on Sproat comes back from the dead on Oct. 2

We are now mere days away from the kickoff of Spirits on Sproat's 2015 season, scheduled to open on Friday, October 2. Rest assured that we're busy preparing several new props, lighting effects, and live entertainment as well as improving our popular scavenger hunt games.

Check back to the site regularly between now and October 31 to learn the latest news about our home haunt. We will be posting all new spook spotlights – individual profiles of specific new characters with descriptive details and humorous trivia – as we advance toward Halloween.

Make your plans now to visit Spirits on Sproat this October... If you dare! For our October 2015 schedule and driving directions, click here.

Sayonara from Spirits on Sproat

Thanks to all for visiting our Spirits on Sproat display this year, and for helping to make this our best season yet! Now only 365 more days to go...

Happy Halloween!

The Spirits on Sproat 2014 video: the next best thing to being there!

Want a sneak peak of what you can expect when you come see our home haunt in person? Feast your eyes on fiendish new footage of our display that we just posted. It's the 2014 (10th anniversary edition) official Spirits on Sproat video, ready to be watched by clicking below. Enjoy!

Another area paper features Spirits on Sproat

Our 10th anniversary continues to get a lot of attention from neighborhood publications. This time, The Reporter weekly newspaper teased our display on the cover and then gave Spirits on Sproat a prominent write-up on page 4. To read the article, click here.

Spirits on Sproat featured in local newspaper

Your friendly neighborhood house of horror has been spotlighted in the latest edition of the Southwest News Herald newspaper, which writes about our home haunt's 10th anniversary and inspirations for many of the characters we display.

You can read a copy of the article by clicking here.

Horror Tourers awards Spirits on Sproat 5 out of 5 chainsaws - again!

For the second year in a row, the Horror Tourers, a group of dedicated and well-traveled home haunt reviewers, has given our Spirits on Sproat home haunt a perfect 5 out of 5 chainsaws rating. Here's a sample from their newly posted review:

"The move to the backyard gives visitors an opportunity to study many of the figures up close, which was not really possible in the front, and also allows for the garage to be set up as a staging area, which this year featured many figures, including a brand new figure of the evil Ash from Evil Dead."

You can read the full critique here, which includes a photo gallery and two videos: a commentary summarizing what they liked, plus a walk-through of the display.

Thanks to the Horror Tourers for visiting our haunt again and for the glowing review!

List of home haunts in the area now posted

Curious to learn what other home haunts are up and running for you to visit this Halloween season? The 2014 list of Chicagoland home haunts is now available!

Visit http://1drv.ms/10z00eV to view, download or print this long-anticipated list.

Spirits on Sproat opens tonight!

The night you've been waiting all year for is finally here--Spirits on Sproat opens tonight at 7 p.m.! Come check out our all-new display held entirely in the back yard, where there are more props, more room to explore, and more surprises in store for those who dare to visit. Hope to see you out this weekend (and bring a jacket--it's going to be chilly).