Spook Hollow

Last updated
Spook Hollow
Spook Hollow 20231019 0603.jpg
Entrance to Spook Hollow, October 2023
StatusActive
Genre Haunted event
Date(s)Last 3 Friday/Saturday in October (Never on Halloween)
FrequencyAnnually, October
VenueIndependence Park, 613 Lasalle Blvd, Marquette Heights, IL 61554
Location(s) Marquette Heights, Illinois
Coordinates 40°37′23.36″N89°35′59.41″W / 40.6231556°N 89.5998361°W / 40.6231556; -89.5998361
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1979 (1979)
FounderMarquette Heights Men’s Club (MHMC)
AttendanceMore than 10,000 per year
Filing status501(c)3 not-for-profit agency (EIN 47-4469639)
Website spook-hollow.com

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]

Contents

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 not-for-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 to the public in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, [2] but resumed in 2021. [9] The site opened for approximately 13 minutes privately to continue the streak of "longest running outdoor haunted attraction".

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

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Spook Hollow". spook-hollow.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Matthews, Darronté (2020-09-21). "Spook Hollow Haunted House canceled this year, expected to return in 2021". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  3. 1 2 3 Holtz, Jody (2021-10-21). "Spook Hollow returns to Marquette Heights for another spooky Halloween season". WCBU Peoria. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bruch, Thomas (2017-10-11). "Spooks and frights galore at Spook Hollow, the haunt of Marquette Heights". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  5. 1 2 "Home". www.mhmcci.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  6. ↑ "Marquette Heights Mens Club Of Central Illinois - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Kravetz, Andy (2017-03-23). "Marquette Heights Men's Club donates SUV to Police Department". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  8. ↑ "Spook Hollow 2016". CIProud.com. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  9. ↑ Kate, Annie (2021-10-14). "As Halloween looms closer, famous attraction 'Spook Hollow' prepares for record numbers". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  11. 1 2 "Spook Hollow". Enjoy Illinois. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  12. ↑ Strahan, Maggie (2022-09-30). "Haunted locations to visit in Central Illinois this fall". CIProud.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  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.
  14. ↑ Vlahos, Nick (2017-09-13). "Nick in the AM: Marquette Heights haunted house rated as Illinois' best". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
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