Photograph // Magnus Blanchard
By: Magnus Blanchard-Rockhill
Staff-Writer & Advertising Co-Manager
One of the Midwest’s most beloved horror attractions is killing it for the 51st year in a row.
This volunteer-run, non-profit horror attraction is impressive every year, but last year’s 50th anniversary celebration really has breathed new life into the park. They’ve gotten some impressive animatronics recently, and the theming of each attraction and individual sections in the Haunted House and Field of Screams have gotten stronger in the past few years.
This year, the attractions on offer are the Haunted House itself, the Haunted Duplex, the Field of Screams and a new walkthrough called Wicked Woods, a short hike along the trail that used to be the Haunted Hayride.
The Haunted Duplex’s first attraction this year, the Pirates of Siren Seas, was incredibly well-themed. It was visually cohesive and well-lit, probably to show off the high quality props, including a huge shark animatronic and fake portholes through which you could watch fish swim. The second half, Viciously Voodoo, was also fun, but Pirates of the Siren Seas stole the show.
The Field of Screams is also worth specific mention, as it is always fun and inventive. Using a combination of careful lighting and fog machines to create a convincing chest-high swamp is such a cool and effective use of resources. The Wicked Woods is also a worthy successor to the Hayride, and is a relatively peaceful attraction to end the night on.
The Haunted House itself is exciting as always, though everyone’s experience will be different because of the vast number of different pathways you can be sent on. There is always a wide variety of themes, with each room bringing a new and different experience.
The Scream Park will be open every weekend in September and October, as well as Nov. 1 and 2 for BLACK OUT: they turn most of the lights off and make the “extreme” version of the Haunted House walkthrough available. If you’re interested in this “extreme” walkthrough, just be warned that much of it involves being fed strange liquids and getting mud smeared on you.
This article is not an advertisement and was not supported or sponsored by Niles Scream Park.
