| Spook Hollow | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to Spook Hollow, October 2023 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Haunted event |
| Date(s) | October 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28 |
| 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
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 non-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 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [2] but resumed in 2021. [9]
Attractions
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
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
A haunted trail attraction loops through the woods of Independence Park. [10]
M.C. Nightmare
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
- 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
- ^ 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.
External links
| Spook Hollow | |
|---|---|
|
Entrance to Spook Hollow, October 2023 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Haunted event |
| Date(s) | October 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28 |
| 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
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 non-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 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [2] but resumed in 2021. [9]
Attractions
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
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
A haunted trail attraction loops through the woods of Independence Park. [10]
M.C. Nightmare
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
- 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
- ^ 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.