Shocktoberfest

Last updated
Shocktoberfest
ShocktoberfestLogo.jpg
Shocktoberfest logo
Location94 Park Ave Sinking Springs, PA 19608
ThemeHalloween
Operated byPatrick Konopelski
OpenedOctober 1991
Operating seasonFall
Website Official website

Shocktoberfest is an annual haunted event near Reading, Pennsylvania. The attractions include dark attractions, haunted houses, and a haunted hayride. It is referred to by the management of Shocktoberfest as a "haunted theme park" even though it is not a theme park in the true sense of the term.

Contents

The attraction opened in 1991 at Willow Glen Park and has become a holiday destination for teenagers and families throughout the Mid-Atlantic states during the Halloween season. Over the years, it has grown from a single hayride into thirteen attractions and a number of special events on weekends over a two month period.

History

The site of the attraction is situated adjacent to Route 422, outside Reading, Pennsylvania, buffered by a creek, Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, and a housing development. Early land records show a much larger parcel than what is now called Willow Glen Park. Some of the land became Graffius Burial Vault Company and other pieces became part of the housing development.

According to Shocktoberfest's marketing, the land has a supposedly troubled past. They say that the land was home to a state psychiatric hospital, a state penitentiary, and a chemical processing plant. This information has proved to be a marketing ploy, as the land was never used for any of these purposes. However, claims of the Graffius Burial Vault Company being a short walk away are true, although it is not a part of Shocktoberfest.

The attraction began in 1991 as a haunted hayride called Maniac Mountain. A haunted house was added in 1997, and the name was changed to Shocktoberfest. Beginning in 2000, a period of expansion began, with improvements to the two existing attractions, as well as the addition of a new haunt in 2004, The Prison of the Dead. In 2006, Shocktoberfest was selected as one of the Top 13 Haunted Attractions in the country by Haunt World Magazine. [1] [2]

Attractions

Haunted Hayride

The hayride attraction has its route changed and is re-themed yearly. The BioHazard Hayride was the title and theme in 2009. The attraction was entitled Zombie Revenge Haunted Hayride in 2012. [3] As of 2014, it was entitled the Zombie Safari Hayride.

The Prison of the Dead

A 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) attraction which was built for the 2004 season. It is a two-level attraction, with portions both indoors and outdoors, themed as a prison. Guests begin their tour by boarding a prison bus. The tour of the actual maze is approximately a 30 minute walk, and sometimes, crawl. This is thought to be the premier attraction on the site, and its primary haunted house. [4]

The Monster Midway

The Monster Midway located at the entrance of the park. This is set up in a carnival fashion where there will be food, classic side shows, and games. The Midway used to feature carnival rides for a few years, however they have been removed since 2004. Ticket purchasing can also be found here. And also the entrances for The Prison of the Dead and the BioHazard Hayride can be found towards the end of the Midway.

Ground Assault: Zombie Laser Tag

A laser tag experience that allows customers to shoot both each other and zombies, launched in 2016.

The Unknown 2.0

This is Shocktoberfest's secondary haunted house. Although smaller than the Prison of the Dead house, it is said to be equally intense. In addition to its regular use, the Almost Naked and Scared Challenge (below) is held here once per evening, on Friday and Saturday only.


The Almost Naked and Scared Challenge

The Naked and Scared Challenge is an adults-only experience. Visitors at least 18 years old are invited to disrobe before entering the attraction. After choosing the "nude" or "prude" (underwear-only) option, guests are asked to sign waivers prior to a clothes-free fright. The nude option was cancelled prior to opening, due to pressure from local authorities. This event began during the 2013 season, and is still running as of 2017 as the Almost Naked and Scared Challenge. [5] [6] [7] [8]

Awards

Related Research Articles

Thorpe Park Amusement park in England

Thorpe Park Resort, commonly known as Thorpe Park, is an amusement park located in the village of Thorpe between the towns of Chertsey and Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey, England. It is operated and owned by Merlin Entertainments and includes rides, themed cabins, live events and Stealth, the UK's fastest rollercoaster. In 2019 Thorpe park was the UK’s third most visited theme park (1.9m) behind Alton Towers. However due to the coronavirus pandemic the park only had a 125 day operation season along with limited capacity. As a result of this the park had a huge decrease in attendance. However Thorpe park was the second most attended park in the UK behind Alton Towers in 2020.

Midnight Syndicate American musical duo

Midnight Syndicate is an American musical duo that has been working primarily in the genre of gothic music since 1997 and is based in Chardon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.

Valleyfair Amusement park

Valleyfair is a 125-acre (51 ha) amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Owned by Cedar Fair, the park opened in 1976 and now features over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters. Valleyfair also has a water park called Soak City which is included with the price of admission. Cedar Point and Valleyfair were the first two parks in the Cedar Fair chain and a combination of the park names – "cedar" and "fair" – were used to name the company.

Silverwood Theme Park Amusement park in northern Idaho, U.S.

Silverwood Theme Park is an amusement park located in the city of Athol in northern Idaho, United States, near the town of Coeur d'Alene, approximately 47 mi (76 km) from Spokane, Washington on US 95. Owner Gary Norton opened the park on June 20, 1988. Originally, the park included a small assortment of carnival rides, a "main street" with shops and eateries, and an authentic steam train that traveled in a 30-minute loop around the owner's property. From 1973 to 1988, the land, along with a fully functioning airstrip, was operated as the Henley Aerodrome, named after the family whom Norton bought it from in 1981.

Haunted attraction (simulated) Horror-themed recreational venue

A haunted attraction is a form of live entertainment that simulates the experience of visiting haunted locations or storylines typical of horror fiction. They usually feature fearsome sets and characters, especially demons, ghosts, monsters, possessed people, witches or wizards, serial killers, and slashers. Humorous characters may also be included.

Adventuredome

Adventuredome is a 5-acre (2.0 ha) indoor amusement park at Circus Circus in Winchester, Nevada on the Las Vegas Strip. It is owned by Phil Ruffin. It is contained within a large glass dome, and offers various rides and attractions including the Canyon Blaster and El Loco roller coasters, a rock climbing wall, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a video game arcade, and carnival-type games. Because the park is enclosed, it is unaffected by weather, unlike most theme parks, and is open year-round. Every October from 2003 until 2017, the Adventuredome was turned into the Halloween-themed Fright Dome.

Six Flags Fright Fest American series of simulated haunted attractions

Fright Fest is a Halloween-oriented haunt event held annually at Six Flags theme parks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It mainly features haunted attractions, themed areas named Scare Zones, and live entertainment. In 2020, Fright Fest was reimagined to Hallowfest, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Howl-O-Scream

Howl-O-Scream is an annual special event that occurs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, SeaWorld San Antonio, and as of recently will begin at SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego. The parks remain operational during the day and transition to Howl-O-Scream at night. The event features haunted houses, "scare zones", and live entertainment. It is a seasonal event that occurs in the Fall of the year, tied to Halloween.

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses

The Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses is an outdoor haunted attraction in the Hudson Valley area of New York. It is located in Ulster Park, about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Kingston, New York. This haunted attraction covers 65 acres (260,000 m2) and includes a hay ride, corn maze, and five haunted houses.

Halloween Haunt (Canadas Wonderland)

Halloween Haunt, previously known as "Fearfest", is a Halloween event at Canada's Wonderland located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. It runs after the park's regular operating hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in October – up to, and recently in the 2019 season, NOT including Halloween night. It is Canada's largest haunted theme park featuring over 300 monsters, nine walk-through "maze" attractions, six uniquely themed atmospheric scare areas, and three live shows. During its operation, the grounds are transformed via decorative props, thematic music, eerie lighting to further create its scary atmosphere.

Spider Hill Annual haunted event in Chillicothe, Illinois

Spider Hill is an annual haunted event held at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois to celebrate Halloween. The attractions include a trail, haunted house, and a haunted hayride. It is touted by the organizers as the number one haunted attraction in Central Illinois.

Halloween Horror Nights Annual Halloween event at Universal Studios theme parks

Halloween Horror Nights is an annual special event that occurs at Universal Studios theme parks in Florida, California, Singapore, and Japan. The parks remain operational during the day and transition to Halloween Horror Nights at night. The Halloween-themed event occurs during the fall season and features haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment, many of which use Universal Studios' characters. Its intended audiences are teenagers and adults. Currently, Halloween Horror Nights are onset to return in 2021 in some parks. At Universal Studios Florida Jack the Clown will be returning as the Icon.

Fright Nights

Fright Nights is a seasonal Halloween event held at Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. The event began in 2006 as Halloween Family Fun Night as a single night event and has since evolved into a major park event across a month. It features themed mazes, shows and rides. Fright Nights also refers to the Halloween special event at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, England, which opened in 2002.

Netherworld Haunted House Haunted attraction outside Atlanta, Georgia

Netherworld Haunted House is a self-guided, walk-through haunted attraction located near Atlanta, Georgia, in unincorporated Gwinnett County. It is a seasonal Halloween-based event which opened in 1997.

HalloWeekends Annual amusement park promotion in Ohio

HalloWeekends is an annual Halloween event at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was introduced in 1997, and takes place during the Halloween season, usually from the second Friday after Labor Day until the Sunday before Halloween, or sometimes into early November. The event is open on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays. It is included free with park admission. As of 2014, HalloWeekends features 11 haunted houses and nighttime scare zones, and there are several children's attractions including a parade that takes place on the main midway. It is advised that children under 13 years old be accompanied by an adult. HalloWeekend's yearly slogan is "All You Fear is Here!". Other Cedar Fair parks including Dorney Park, Valley Fair, and Worlds of Fun all have formerly used the HalloWeekends name. The name has changed to Halloween Haunt at all 3 parks. Cedar Point is the only Cedar Fair park that still uses the HalloWeekends name.

The ScareHouse Haunted attraction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

ScareHouse is a haunted attraction now located within The Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Ten Thirty One Productions

Ten Thirty One Productions was an American entertainment company based in Los Angeles that created, owned, and produced live attractions in the horror genre. It was featured on Season 5 of Shark Tank where it received the largest investment in the history of the show. The company was sold to Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.

Thrillvania is an immersive haunted house theme park located in Terrell, Texas. The park consists of 50 acres, and is considered a major international horror theme park. Created by Lance Pope in 1996, Thrillvania was one of the first haunted house parks to use film special effects such as animatronics and pyrotechnics.

<i>Haunt</i> (2019 film) 2019 horror film directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods

Haunt is a 2019 American slasher film written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. It stars Katie Stevens, Will Brittain, Lauryn McClain, Andrew Caldwell, Shazi Raja, and Shuyler Helford. Set on a Halloween night, the film follows a group of friends who encounter an “extreme” haunted house that promises to feed on their darkest fears. The night turns deadly as they come to the horrifying realization that some nightmares are real.

Field of Screams is a simulated attraction in Mountville, Pennsylvania. They estimate that around 75 000 people visit the attraction per annum.

References

  1. ↑ "Shocktoberfest". Shocktoberfest. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ Kirchner, Larry (2006). "Hauntworld Magazine #14" . Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  3. ↑ Spohr, George (October 17, 2012). "Halloween Review: Shocktoberfest". The Sentinel. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  4. ↑ Spohr, George; Foulds, Jeric (September 12, 2015). "Review: Shocktoberfest's 'Prison of the Dead' is excellent, but its hayride is kind of meh". Times Leader. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  5. ↑ Prisco, Joanna (September 26, 2013). "Naked Haunted House Scares 'Nudes and Prudes'". ABC News. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  6. ↑ Taylor, Victoria (September 28, 2013). "Shocktoberfest cancels nude part of its 'Naked and Scared' haunted house challenge". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  7. ↑ Lohr, David (September 27, 2013). "Shocktoberfest's Naked Haunted House 'Booed' By Pennsylvania Town". Huffington Post.
  8. ↑ "Haunted house invites visitors to take the 'Naked and Scared Challenge'". Fox News. September 24, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Haunted Attraction Magazine Names 25 Must-See Haunts". Business Wire. October 6, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Halloween Top Choice 2013". Fright Times Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Hayride of the Year: Past Recipients". Frighttour. 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Most extreme haunted houses". Fox News. October 10, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  13. ↑ Eslich, John; Thompson, A.D.; Schrandt, Lydia. "USA 10 Best". USA Today. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  14. ↑ "HAA Top Haunts Program". Haunted House Association. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.