Scream Park raises $74K for charities, schools
Published 10:04 pm Monday, November 29, 2010
The Niles Haunted House Scream Park, one of Michiana’s most popular autumn attractions, recently completed another successful season at its always-changing 44-acre site on Mayflower Road between Niles and Buchanan.
This year, the 31st consecutive year for running the project, raised more than $74,700 for more than 80 area children’s organizations, civic groups and other charities. Proceeds benefited local school and service organizations including the Make a Wish Foundation, Lake Michigan College Baseball Team, Positively Dance, Boy Scout Troop 555 and R.B. Ministries. The funds will also be used for two local college scholarships established many years ago.
The project included six haunted attractions and provided volunteer opportunities both in construction and operation of the Scream Park. Plans are under way for even more frightening additions next year. More than 17,700 hours were volunteered by more than 550 people before and during its 21 nights of operation to prepare and operate the seasonal attraction.
On Oct. 29, another milestone was reached at the park. When Robert Strahan of Mishawaka, Ind. entered the Haunted House, he became interior visitor No. 1.3 million since attendance records were kept in 1981.
The Scream Park is recognized nationally in the haunted attraction industry. This year, the Scream Park was ranked in the top 13 in this region by Haunted House Chicago. it was also one of the featured haunts in the movie “Halloween — The Happy Haunting of America Part II.” The Scream Park was the featured haunt in the February 2007 issue of Haunted Attraction Magazine, a national publication.