Now you see him, now you don't

Look closely--that eerie image in the shadows could just be an illusion; or it could be the Invisible Man, one of our more recent enlistees in the Gallery of the Dead. He's a fascinating subject. Consider these facts:

• Favorite songs: I’m Looking Through You, You Won’t See Me
• Pet peeve: Being ignored while flashing strangers in his raincoat
• Secret shame: Pulls his eyebrow hairs off every time he removes the duct tape from his head
• Little-known fact: Sued by the mummy for use of his likeness
  

Time for an experiment...in terror!

Keep your test tubes and syringes far away from the Mad Scientist--he's likely to use them on his poor victim, the subject of horrible and insane experiments. Among the latest in our 2013 series of new monsters, this duo personifies weird science run amok. Here's what we know about this gruesome twosome:

• Nickname: Beaker breath
• Greatest inventions: The Clapper, Mr. Microphone, Snugglie (the wearable blanket with built-in fabric softener)
• Most recent job: Sarah Palin’s campaign manager
  

Return of the prodigal son

Years ago, the Blue Phantom played the keyboard for Spirits on Sproat visitors and climbed the tree above our display to scare the unsuspecting. Now, he's retired from active haunting, but he's earned a permanent spot in our horror hall of fame. Here are more details on the Blue Phantom:

• Known for: Climbing trees, tickling the ivories, chasing after cars 
• Nicknames: Papa Smurf, Blue Man Ghoul, Spock ears 
• Secret shame: Hasn’t grown an inch since 7th grade 
• Voted in high school: Most likely to wear platform shoes
  

Something smells awfully fishy 'round here

Our newest member of the Gallery of the Dead could quite possibly be the largest and hungriest. He normally prowls the ocean waters, but somehow he's learned to swim through grass. Come gaze upon the awesome spectre that is...Jaws! But be sure you don't spill a drop of blood anywhere near our display; sharks can smell that stuff a mile away. Betcha' didn't know these facts about our famous great white:

• Secret shame: Received electro shark therapy treatment 
• Favorite pigout food: Quarter flounder with cheese 
• Little known fact: He’s so old in the tooth that he now wears dentures 
• Sick of hearing his wife say: Chew with your mouth closed
  

Spirits on Sproat 2013 video now ready for prime time

The official 2013 video for our Spirits on Sproat display is now up and running on YouTube. Click below, if you dare!

Death metal has a face

Some people vow to rock and roll until it kills them. And that's exactly what happened to Iggy Vicious, quite possibly the boniest buddy among our Gallery of the Dead. Here are some little known facts on this macabre musician:

• Known for: Playing music so loud and shrill that it can make the skin melt right off your bones
• Favorite band: The Grateful Dead
• Little-known fact: His dog once pulled off his leg and buried it in the backyard
• Famous for: Recently warning Keith Richards to stop copying his image
  
  

One bride you wouldn't want to honeymoon with

They say behind every good man is a good woman. But what if that man isn't so good? Then his mate must surely be evil incarnate, as is the case with the Bride of Dracula. She's a fetching lass in her black coffin. Come see her in all her glory at Spirits on Sproat, but bring a wooden stake just in case. Here's the 411 on the missus...

• Sick of hearing her husband say: Not tonight, dear, I’ve got a toothache
• Secret wish: To be the celebrity pitchman for 1-800-FLOWERS.com
• Idolizes: Cher (circa 1987), Snooky, Michelle Bachman
• Little known fact: Won a staring contest with Medusa
  

Beelzebub isn't just a regular bub

You've got a date...with the devil. And he's on our front lawn! Come catch a glimpse of Mr. fire and brimstone himself, one of our newest residents of the Gallery of the Dead. Here's what we know about him:

• Aliases: Beelzebub, Old Scratch, Mephistopheles, Rush Limbaugh
• Amazing fact: He stays in great shape but doesn’t exorcise
• Greatest trick ever pulled: Convincing the world that the Kardashians deserve to exist

Introducing the Crypt Keeper

If you haven't yet met the Crypt Keeper (host of TV's "Tales from the Crypt"), then it's time you made a fresh visit to Spirits on Sproat! Here's what you'll learn about this ugly little urchin:

• Known for: Laughing at bad puns and stale morbid humor
• Secret shame: Sits on 3 yellow page phone books to make himself look taller
• Little-known fact: He’s living proof that reading comic books will rot your brain

Welcome to the zombi-ocalypse

Everywhere you look these days, it seems like another zombie is popping up. Whether it's on TV, in the movies, or running for political office somewhere, brain-eating members of the undead are hip. And making a presence at Spirits on Sproat, too, as evidenced by the arrival last year of Zombie Zed. Fun facts on this fascinating figure:

• Nicknames: Lurch, B.O.S. (bent-outta-shape), tall, dark and gruesome
• Secret shame: Was fired from “The Walking Dead” TV show because he gnawed on the director’s arm
• Suffers from: Male pattern baldness, binge eating disorder
  

Meet the Fly!

Spirits on Sproat has added a few new monsters over the last 2 years to our collection, and we wanted to introduce you to each of them. First up is the Fly! Here are some facts on our buzz-happy bug:

• Secret shame: He can’t vomit his food and slurp it back up without watching “Dr. Phil”
• Favorite bands: Garbage, Rancid
• Secret wish: Every time a bell rings, a man-fly gets his wings
• Biggest pet peeve: People who tell him to buzz off

Come play 2 fun new games at Spirits on Sproat

Come visit Spirits on Sproat this year and play two new fun scavenger hunt games designed for young and old!

First, as you probably know, each monster in our display has its own sign with interesting (and comedic) trivia. But instead of placing a sign in front of the monster it identifies, this year we've displayed the signs randomly in the front row. So you have to find the monster that matches his or her sign. There's at least 40 signs--are you up to the chilling challenge?

Next, solve the following riddles below by finding the monsters in our display that:
1. Have only 1 eye to see through
2. Have only 8 fingers to strangle you
3. Are holding knives
4. Are wearing ties
5. Are wearing hats
6. Can change into bats
7. Live in the water
8. Are someone’s daughter

(For the answers, see the paper below the big pumpkin on our front porch.)

2013 list of area Halloween displays ready for viewing

Want to know which area houses are hosting Halloween haunts and yard displays this season? Click here to read or download the 2013 South Suburban Halloween Home Haunt List, and make your plans to tour them all this October!

Horror Tourers ranks Spirits on Sproat among the best

Horror Tourers, a group of dedicated and well-traveled home haunt reviewers, has published a glowing critique of Spirits on Sproat on its website.

We earned a stellar 4.66 out of 5 chainsaws from these creepster critics, who said:

"It's easy to see why this display is so popular. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of enthusiasm - a labor of love, if you will - and that's what gives it that little extra 'something' that sets it apart from more traditional displays."

Horror Tourers also posted several photos taken during their visit and two videos related to our display: a walkthrough review and an "on the spot" review.

Our appreciation to Horror Tourers for visiting our display and giving us the thumbs up--er, chainsaws! Click here to read the full review and watch the videos.

Spirits on Sproat opens Oct. 4

Your favorite Halloween house reopens for another season starting Friday, October 4! This year, we're preparing to debut several exciting new props as well as improved lighting effects, making this our most anticipated opening ever.

For our October 2013 schedule of dates and times, click here.

Check out our newest photos!

We have new photos of Spirits on Sproat props and characters ready for you to gawk at.

Check out the latest snapshots by clicking here.

Svengoolie loves Spirits on Sproat!

Your friendly neighborhood Spirits on Sproat owner was thrilled to recently meet Svengoolie, everybody's favorite horror movie host (check out his show every Saturday night from 9-11 p.m. on WCIU Channel 26; visit Svengoolie.com for more details).

Svengoolie (a ka Rich Koz) was nice enough to even sign a poster for Spirits on Sproat, which he affectionately wrote is "my favorite Halloween house."

So there you have it--we've gotten the seal of approval from the master of scare-imonies himself, Svengoolie!

Spirits on Sproat featured in Chicago Parent Magazine

Your favorite neighborhood Halloween display is spotlighted in the new October issue of Chicago Parent Magazine.

Written by the creator of Spirits on Sproat, this fun feature article gives how-to tips on building your own home haunt.

You can read the story here.

Spirits on Sproat opens Oct. 5

Halloween is right around the corner--and so is the opening date of the 2012 edition of Spirits on Sproat: The Gallery of the Dead. We go live on Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., and we're ready to debut several new scary props!

For the full schedule and directions to our display, click here.

Big things coming to Spirits on Sproat in 2012!

Hard to believe, but Halloween is only a few weeks away! And Spirits on Sproat is planning appropriately. We're busy making several new monsters for you to enjoy in 2012, so make your plans to visit our display, which will officially open on the first weekend in October (dates/times to be announced soon).

Also, our home haunt will be featured in the October installment of Chicago Parent Magazine, so keep an eye out for the issue publishing soon, available free at various locations such as the Oak Lawn Community Pavilion and public library.