By By MICHAEL C. GUILMETTE JR. / Dowagiac Daily News
NILES – Year 27 of the Niles Haunted House and Scream Park netted $104,403.50, officials from the popular attraction announced.
More than 70 children's organizations, civic groups and local charities will benefit from the proceeds raised during the park's 21 nights of operation in September and October, including:
Dowagiac Band Boosters, $2,000.
Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School Project Graduation, $1,950.
Dowagiac Union High School Celebration Graduation, $900.
Southwestern Michigan College scholarships, $750.
Encore Dance, $700.
Miss Cass-St. Joseph County, $650.
Cass County Rabbits Association, $375.
Cassopolis Church of God youth, $350.
Old Rugged Cross, $100.
"We're thrilled to have this kind of success considering the weather," Pete Karlowicz, a member of the park's board of directors said Monday.
"It makes us wonder how well we would have done had the weather been nice."
Karlowicz said the combination of wind, cold rain and snow made park operations difficult, but the weather did not keep visitors away. He believed this year's total is the most the park has ever earned in a season.
The park attracted a number of new visitors, Karlowicz said, but the repeat visitors are what keeps the park in business.
"Our success is based upon the foundation of our repeat customers," Karlowicz said. He credited the constantly changing theme of the park for its popularity. "[Our customers] want and expect change, and that's what they receive."
He added the park has a "very strong" draw of visitors from a 75-mile radius, and a good draw up to a 150-mile radius.
More than 800 people volunteered at the park during the 2006 season, and Karlowicz said he was grateful for all the work put into the production.
"The board of directors would like to thank all the people who supported our project," Karlowicz said.
The park consists of six attractions at its Mayflower Road location, as well as the Children's Fun House and a hayride on Bell Road. The park was named as one of the top eight haunted attractions in America by the International Association of Haunted Attractions in October, and it also received the 2004 Community Service Award from the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce.