Spook Hollow
| Spook Hollow | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to Spook Hollow, October 2023 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Haunted event |
| Date(s) | Last 3 Friday/Saturday in October (Never on Halloween) |
| Frequency | Annually, October |
| Venue | Independence Park, 613 Lasalle Blvd, Marquette Heights, IL 61554 |
| Location(s) | Marquette Heights, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40°37′23.36″N 89°35′59.41″W / 40.6231556°N 89.5998361°W |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1979 |
| Founder | Marquette Heights Men’s Club (MHMC) |
| Attendance | More than 10,000 per year |
| Filing status | 501(c)3 not-for-profit agency (EIN 47-4469639) |
| Website | spook-hollow |
Spook Hollow is an annual haunted event held at Marquette Heights, Illinois to celebrate Halloween.[1] The six day event runs the last three weekends of October.[2]
History
[edit]Spook Hollow began in 1979. WCBU reported that Spook Hollow started as a free activity for employees laid off from Caterpillar.[3] The Peoria Journal Star reported that it was initially called "Spooky Hollow", a post-Little League activity on a woodsy path near the baseball fields.[4]
It is hosted by the Marquette Heights Men's Club of Central Illinois (MHMCCI), a not-for-profit group.[5][6] All funds raised from the event are donated back to the community, such as local police, fire departments, local scout groups, city library, food pantries, and scholarships.[3][5][7] The group estimates it invests between $50,000 and $100,000 per year back into the community.[2]
In 2017, the group donated a Ford Utility Police Interceptor SUV to the Marquette Heights police department.[7] The SUV features the Spook Hollow logo as a decal on its hood and rear.[7][4] At the time, the $44,352 donation was the largest single donation the men's club had ever done.[7]
The event runs for six nights during the last three weekends of October. Ticket gates are open from 6:30pm to 11pm, but the event remains open until the "until the last person makes it through".[1][8] The event has approximately 200 volunteers including actors, makeup artists, and support staff.[2] The event draws over 10,000 people each year.[4][7]
The event was cancelled to the public in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] but resumed in 2021.[9] The site opened for approximately 13 minutes privately to continue the streak of "longest running outdoor haunted attraction".
Attractions
[edit]Spook Hollow claims to be the longest running "Outdoor Haunted Attraction" in Illinois.[1][3][10] The event is not recommended for children under 13, but staff will allow all ages to enter.[1][11][12] Participants gain access to all three events for one admission price.[11] Attractions change yearly with different themes, details, props, and layouts, but the overall event structure of the manor, trail, and industrial factory have remained the same.[4] The tour takes about an hour.[4] As of 2023, general admission is $30 and a speed pass is available for $45.[1]
M.C. Manor
[edit]The narrative for this attraction is that an old man named Montgomery Crescent, or M.C., lives in a rundown mansion. M.C. is named after the Men's Club.[4]
Spook Hollow Trail
[edit]A haunted trail attraction loops through the woods of Independence Park.[10]
M.C. Nightmare
[edit]This industrial themed haunt was added in 2013.[10] Independence Park is the site of an old coal mine, and the narrative of the attraction weaves in the name of the real historic Crescent Coal Company.[1][10][13]
Awards
[edit]- Scare Factor 2010 - Must-See Haunts, #2 in Illinois[1]
- Scare Factor 2017 - #13 in the U.S.[1][14]
- Haunted Illinois 2018 - Top Ten Haunted House[1]
- Haunted Illinois 2021 - #3 Top Ten Haunted House[1]
- Haunted Illinois 2021 - Top Ten Halloween Event[1]
- “Level 2” certification - Illinois Ghost Seekers Society[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Spook Hollow". spook-hollow.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c d Matthews, Darronté (2020-09-21). "Spook Hollow Haunted House canceled this year, expected to return in 2021". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c Holtz, Jody (2021-10-21). "Spook Hollow returns to Marquette Heights for another spooky Halloween season". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c d e f Bruch, Thomas (2017-10-11). "Spooks and frights galore at Spook Hollow, the haunt of Marquette Heights". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b "Home". www.mhmcci.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Marquette Heights Mens Club Of Central Illinois - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c d e Kravetz, Andy (2017-03-23). "Marquette Heights Men's Club donates SUV to Police Department". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ "Spook Hollow 2016". CIProud.com. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Kate, Annie (2021-10-14). "As Halloween looms closer, famous attraction 'Spook Hollow' prepares for record numbers". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b c d e Bibb, Liz (2014-10-05). "Longest-running outdoor haunted attraction in Illinois kicks off 35th year in Marquette Heights". Pekin Daily Times. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ a b "Spook Hollow". Enjoy Illinois. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Strahan, Maggie (2022-09-30). "Haunted locations to visit in Central Illinois this fall". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Stratton, Christopher (2004-06-01). "LLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ABANDONED MINED LANDS RECLAMATION CULTURAL RESOURCES EVALUATION: CRESCENT COAL COMPANY MINE NO. 2 (GROVELAND COAL COMPANY MINE NO. 2) CREVE COEUR, TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-10-13.
- ^ Vlahos, Nick (2017-09-13). "Nick in the AM: Marquette Heights haunted house rated as Illinois' best". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-13.