Many people enjoy celebrating Halloween. Whether they like to walk through corn mazes, take a trip on a hayride, or walk through a haunted house; Chicago has something for everyone to be able to enjoy. Here are a few ideas for Halloween 2021.
One way to enjoy the spooky season is to visit Old Joliet Haunted Prison. This castle-like facility is surrounded by a 25-foot-tall limestone wall. The wall coloring reminds people of bile. The building was designed by architect William Boyington whose intentions were to make the building seem intimidating and scary. Rumor has it that Boyington haunts the grounds of the Joliet Correctional Center.
This year the Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group have added their flair to the spooky event. Visitors can come and get their spook on and see creepy clowns, ghouls, and zombies occupy the dilapidated prison cells.
Lockport’s Stateville Haunted House will be hosting its last Halloween event this year. The facility was built in 1996 and after 25 years will be closing its doors after the spooky season ends. This local-legendary haunted house has been ranked among the best spooks in Illinois.
The States Haunted Prison featured around 100 actors playing characters like Big Dave, whose crimes include kidnapping, theft, “and forced participation in musical theater.” They are dedicating their last event to Jesse “Chops the Clown” McDonald and producer Rick Rudie of the nearby HellsGate Haunted House. Sadly they both passed away in 2020.
Those who enjoy a bit of comedy with their gore will really get a kick out of The Annoyance’s “Splatter Theatre.” Sam Locke directs the troupe’s longest and goriest running show. This 1970s-80s spoof slasher show runs every Saturday at The Annoyance.
Chi-Town Movies Drive-In has been taken over by the Music Box for the whole month of October. They aim to present every flavor of horror movies out there.
From October 14 to October 31, Halloween goers can enjoy scary flicks at the Highway of Horror. This event first took place last year behind Replay in Lincoln Park. Basically, event-goers pull into a vacant lot near the Kennedy to view slasher movies in drive-in style. The only exception is that Jason Voorhees may appear at the car door brandishing a chainsaw dripping with blood.
These are just a few of the scary events that people can enjoy this Halloween season. Of course, places like Konow’s Corn Maze and Odyssey Fun Farm still have their family-orientated fun to enjoy.
Written by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Chicago Tribune: 1) Our Top 10 for Halloween, from Boo at the Zoo to the stuff of nightmares; by Lauren Warnecke – 2) Tours to start at Old Joliet Prison, a ruin of busted glass and the stuff of nightmares; by Christopher Borrelli
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of DaPuglet’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Maria J Aleman’s Flickr Page Creative Commons License
