A creature roams the birch tree forest in the Field of Screams at Niles Haunted House Scream Park. Submitted photo

It’s baaaaaack.

The Niles Haunted House Scream Park is gearing up for another season of thrills and chills at 855 Mayflower Rd., Niles. It opens Sept. 14.

Voted the seventh-best haunted house last year by HauntedHouseChicago.com, the Niles Haunted House Scream Park has been scaring the living daylights out of patrons since the 1970s.

Manager Pete Karlowicz said more than 30,000 people visit the scream park annually.

“I like to say we have a very popular haunt and we are ranked as one of the best in the country,” said Karlowicz, a Cassopolis lawyer who is in his 33rd year with the scream park.

Never the same

One of the trademarks of the Niles Haunted House Scream Park is that its scares and scenery change from year to year.

“People know that when they come back next year it’s all changed,” Karlowicz said.

There are essentially five attractions at the Niles Haunted House Scream Park.

House on the Hill contains two smaller haunts, Memory Manor and Ghostly Gallows.

Then there’s the main attraction, Niles Haunted House 2012, which contains multiple routes and can’t be viewed entirely in one or even two trips.

Outside is the Field of Screams, a maze-like attraction filled with strobe lights and creepy creatures that takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

“It really rivals the Niles Haunted House in popularity because it is really cool, long and it’s a lot of fun,” Karlowicz said.

Patrons can also hop aboard the Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride, a one-mile plus ride through more than 40 sets.

The Midway of the Macabre is similar to a midway you’d find at a county fair, only with a haunted carnival atmosphere. There you can find Halloween-themed games, a gift shop and concessions.

Voluntarily scary

Karlowicz said it takes more than 200 volunteers a night to run the scream park. Most are from various community organizations. More than 500 people volunteer each season.

“The volunteers make the experience,” he said. “They are our backbone. They have to carry the show and they do.”

The scream park raises money for a wide variety of charities. It’s donated more than $1.2 million over the past 16 years, including more than $80,000 last year.

For information on ticket prices and more information, visit haunted.org or call (269) 445-9184.

Niles Scream Park hours

September

• 14-15: 8-11 p.m.

• 21-22: 8-11 p.m.

• 28-29: 8-11 p.m.

October

• 5-6: 7-11 p.m.

• 7: 7-10 p.m.

• 12-13: 7-11 p.m.

• 14: 7-10 p.m.

• 19-20, 7-11 p.m.

• 21: 7-10 p.m.

• 26-27: 7-11 p.m.

• 28-31: 7-10 p.m.