Archive 1

OCTOBER 27, 2012 SATURDAY 1 PM - Apologies to SALEM'S HAUNTED VILLAGE in CAPAC for missing them last night. But we have good memories of their haunt, and they offer something VERY rare in the current haunt market. They have a hayride that uses NO tractor or gas engine.

Nope, they do it Old School Style with a HORSE DRAWN HAYRIDE. It was SO cool they got our BEST AMBIENCE AWARD that year!

OCTOBER 27, 2012 SATURDAY 1 AM - THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT! / PANIC PORTAL HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT AWAITS THE BRAVE

We went off the deep end last night! With Lake St. Clair glistening in the bright moonlight, we cruised along the water on the main drag to THE DEVIL'S ASYLUM in PORT HURON, a wild new haunt with a great building to use.

PANIC AT PINE STUMP HOLLOW in ST. CLAIR has a really cool innovation in the forest walk that's WAY COOL! Nobody else has this stunt that we've seen. And it's only about 10 minutes from THE DEVIL'S ASYLUM, so you can double-up your haunting experience in one night easily.

OCTOBER 26, 2012 FRIDAY 3 PM - WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR...MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHO YOU ARE...

A few months ago, we were on vacation in Port Huron. We were crusin' on the main street, looking for soccer moms to drag race our vans with. But they all chickened out when we brake torqued and revved our engine, so we kept going.

It was destiny. There it was. A big sign at McMorran Arena, declaring the arrival of THE DEVIL'S ASYLUM haunted house in PORT HURON! So tonight we seal our fate as we make the trip to the far east side. Any farther east and we'd be in the lake! www.thedevilsasylum.com

OCTOBER 26, 2012 FRIDAY 2 PM - Reviews now split into 2 sections for easier navigating. TERRORTOWN review now complete!

OCTOBER 26, 2012 FRIDAY 4 AM - ***SPOILER ALERT*** just added to the review for SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK in LENOX TOWNSHIP!

OCTOBER 25, 2012 THURSDAY 12 NOON - TOO MANY HAUNTS, NOT ENOUGH TIME

2 killer haunts just came to mind that we haven't been to this year: McCURDY'S REVENGE in CORUNNA and DARKSYDE ACRES in JONESVILLE.

To make it worse, we missed DARKSYDE last year but we did make McCURDY'S and they put on an EXCELLENT SHOW. (see Reviews 2011 A)

OCTOBER 25, 2012 THURSDAY 2 AM - THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

It's the last big weekend coming up, and we're totally stoked! THE DEVIL'S ASYLUM in PORT HURON is new, making it a priority. And GRAND RAPIDSÂ IS A GAS with THE HAUNT leading the way to spectacular spookiness!

And if you're in the Detroit/Macomb county area, we have a suggestion for a double dose of cool haunting for not much dough. WARREN and HAZEL PARK are right next to each other, despite being in different counties. So that means DEADLY INTENTIONS (Warren) and HOUSE OF FEAR (Hazel Park) are practically neighbors, and they're both very reasonable priced!

OCTOBER 24, 2012 WEDNESDAY 2 PM - "SAY HI! TO JOE, HE'S MY FRIEND"

Now posted: THE CRYPT. But I actually want to talk about ST. LUCIFER'S for a moment. Huh?

We were at St. Lucifer's before coming to The Crypt, and had this exchange with the operator at St. Lucifer's: "Thanks, we've got to get going now." "Oh, you goin' to The Crypt?" "Uh...yeah we are actually." "Cool, say Hi! to Joe there, he's my friend."

FABULOUS! That's music to our ears, and exactly what we wish we heard more often...sigh.

But I just cooked eggs in olive oil, and where there's olive oil there's been olive trees. And where there are olive trees, there's been olive tree branches...waiting patiently to be waved.

OCTOBER 24, 2012 WEDNESDAY 2 AM - MONEY BACK IF YOU MAKE IT THRU!

Alright, we finally found another haunt that legitimately gives you money back!!! Ok, it's not DOUBLE your money back like at the REALM OF DARKNESS in PONTIAC if you defeat the Wizard.

It's just a 100% refund, but it's on the level as opposed to most of the stories you've heard of that are only urban legends.

One of those recent legends has a renegade frat in East Lansing building a disgusting slime pit nobody can stomach the smell of, and calling it a haunted house! NONSENSE, that's not entertainment. Don't believe everything you hear, and certainly not everything you read either.

Anyway, here's where you can truly get your money back at a haunt: www.13thflooraz.com

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AUGUST 23, 2012 - THE FUTURE OF DETROIT, WORLD CAPITAL OF HAUNTED HOUSES

Imagine that you're living through the zombie apocalypse. You and your group are looking for sanctuary in an abandoned urban landscape. You are out of ammo so you are relying on your smarts to survive. As you start to adjust to your new surroundings, your relative calm is broken by a pack of zombies.

People panic and start to run. Some in your group aren't fast enough and fall victim to the zombies. Soon they will also be zombies. Where do you go? The odds say make a run for it and you listen. Your group runs down the street and hides in an old warehouse. Is it safe in here? Will the growing zombie horde pass without noticing you? What about your supplies? What about the friend that was lost in the chaos? How long will you survive? Will you make it through the night?

This sounds like an interesting video game, but where is the real thrill in a video game? Suppose this was real. Suppose you were in this with your friends. Suppose you were really running and hiding. Now that would be interesting.

Stay tuned to ZIOPTIS for the full scoop about Z WORLD, COMING TO DETROIT!!!

JULY 9, 2012 - TIME OF THE SEASON FOR ZOMBIES IN DETROIT

REAL ZOMBIES ARE COMING TO DETROIT! Sorta. It's all part of a highly creative massive master plan to create a one-of-a-kind facility right here in the WORLD CAPITAL OF HAUNTED HOUSES!

This could ONLY happen right here in MOTOWN, and are we excited! Stay tuned for the full scoop soon...

JUNE 29, 2012 2 PM - DOWNRIVER DEMOLITION ALERT

Hey, Downriver...don't wait until The Fourth for killer fireworks! ALLEN PARK FIREWORKS ARE TONIGHT at 10PM as part of their city carnival. The fireworks launch point is at Allen Park City Hall located at 16850 Southfield Road.

Also tonight are fireworks displays in FLINT, MT. CLEMENS & ST. CLAIR SHORES. For the best scoop on Michigan fireworks click here: www.michiganfireworks.com

JUNE 29, 2012 12 NOON - ZUCCHINI FLYERS AT SEVEN MILES PER HOUR

Never mind NASCAR. What's the big deal? You turn left. That's about it.

Ignore the Indy 500. Allen Park Farmers Market has a better idea. Huh?

In reading a recent Detroit Free Press article about local strawberry farms and farmers markets, I noticed that the Allen Park Farmers Market is going to feature a "haunted market day."

Anytime we see evidence of the haunting experience permeating other sectors of the business world, we always take notice and investigate. So I called them to ask what's up. They had fun with scarecrow decorating contests in past years, but the haunted market details are still in the works.

So the girl answering also told me about other fun stuff they do including the possibly some day legendary "ZUCCHINI 500." It sounds like a hoot-and-a-half!

Think Indy 500 and soapbox derby combined. Except throw out the cars, ear-splitting revved engines, excessive crowds, and drunken idiots.

Now throw in some common garden vegetables, slick hot rod decals, miniature wheel assemblies, and kids of all ages ready for BIG FUN!

The basic idea is to turn an ordinary zucchini, potato, or any other suitable vegetable or fruit into a bona fide racing machine! The first one down the hill across the finish line gains major bragging rights, until next year's winner is crowned. For full info, call (313) 928-0940 or click here: www.allenparkdowntown.com

MAY 21, 2012 - MIDWEST HAUNTERS CONVENTION NEXT MONTH!

From their website:

The Midwest Haunters Convention (MHC) is the largest Halloween show of its kind in the US serving Haunted Attraction Industry professionals and enthusiasts. The MHC features a tradeshow, education, chartered bus tours and entertainment; and it returns to Columbus, Ohio June 8-10, 2012 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel for its 9^th year.

The MHC Trade Show features a 60,000 square foot show room floor with over 100 vendor booths. Educational seminars and workshops as well as networking activities are offered. The 2012 MHC features a 2-day bus tour of Ohio/Michigan haunted attractions, a Monster Masquerade Costume Party featuring the Body Art Fashion Show and contests including the Bloody Mary Monster Makeup Wars Competition, Ms Midwest Scary Pageant & the Scariest Character Contest.

For complete details click here:www.midwesthauntersconvention.com

APRIL 27, 2012 - NIGHTMARE ON HAUNTED HILL SNEAK PREVIEW TONIGHT!

Here it is...your big chance to see what's been happening at HAUNTED HILL ACRES since they closed temporarily to make a major feature length movie. It's part of MOTOR CITY NIGHTMARES which is taking place this weekend at the SHERATON DETROIT-NOVI, 21111 Haggerty Road in Novi.

The "short screening" of the movie they've been working on "NIGHTMARE ON HAUNTED HILL" will be at 11:30 PM FRIDAY, APRIL 27th.

SMALL WORLD - We happened to run into someone from HAUNTED HILL ACRES recently at a restaurant in Ann Arbor, and she was excitedly telling us about the movie and all kinds of wild experiences!

Hey, we know the Motor City Haunt Club will be there full force...let's see how many other haunt fans we can get to show up at this highly anticipated event! For the full schedule click here: www.motorcitynightmares.com

APRIL 8, 2012 2 PM - EASTER AT THE DARKSYDE

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!

I was on my way back from church today, and stopped at the traffic light at Telegraph and Van Born. As the light turned green I turned right, but a black Ford pickup truck caught my attention 2 lanes over. It had some wild looking decals on it...WOW...it says DARKSYDE ACRES HAUNTED HOUSE.com!

With a surprised look on my face, I flashed the passenger a quick thumbs up. I hope she saw me!

Unfortunately, DARKSYDE ACRES is one the key haunts we didn't make it to last season. So that makes it a MUST SEE for next season, Rob and the gang have never let us down and have some lofty goals. You don't achieve greatness by dreaming small, that's for sure!

APRIL 5, 2012 - We're back! Computer problems delayed things, but our trusty, knowledgeable webmaster pushed all the right buttons to bring us back to where we belong. And the Eastern USA section has been restored...wow it must be magic!

FEBRUARY 7, 2012 - AWARDS section has additional details now.

JANUARY 14, 2012 - NEWS FLASH!

This just in: DEADLY INTENTIONS IS RETURNING IN 2012 FOR ONE FINAL SEASON!! Many of the famous crazies from the past will be back, as well as lots of last-time-only specials to go out in style: www.deadlyintentionshaunt.com

JANUARY 1, 2012 - HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

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NOVEMBER 1, 2011 1 AM - THE GLUE OF FRIENDSHIP

We had a blast on Halloween, hope you did too! After A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD we ended up at an off-the-hook crazy yard haunt on Spartan's Drive in Hamburg Township. It was a giant impromptu street party with great cheer and great candy!

But in talking with people about their costumes, haunted houses and such we were reminded that Halloween is about much more than fantasy, imagination, and candy. It's about shared experiences, the glue that fastens friendships.

Facing danger together...laughing and slapping high fives...sloshing down cider and donuts...confronting your deepest fears...feeling the bite of autumn winds on a hayride with a million stars smiling on you...

It's presented as a wacky form of entertainment, but it goes way deeper than that. Somewhere down the road, you'll find out who your loyal friends truly are. And there's a very good chance those will be the same people you had awesome shared experiences with. I met my best friend when she was 15 and I was 20. Guess what we did together once-upon-a-time?

WELCOME TO THE CLUB, IT'S AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE.

OCTOBER 31, 2011 5 PM - WANDERING TO WEBBERVILLE

Ok, it's official. Our last haunt of the regular season is also one we've never been to before in Wonderful Webberville. So we're off to A NIGHTMARE ON ELM ROAD tonight, and who knows where else!

We used to get lost every year trying to find new haunts in places we've never been, often with dirt roads and no city lights for miles and miles. But now with GPS, we gleefully wander anywhere we want without even really knowing where we're at! No problem, Mandy will tell us where to turn next.

OCTOBER 31, 2011 3 PM - GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

We've seen and experienced so many amazing things this season! There were many highlights and individual quirks, and they need to be recognized. So in December we'll present the TOP AWARDS FOR 2011.

OCTOBER 31, 2011 11:30 AM - Decisions, decisions...so many celebrations tonight...so many cool yard haunts...EREBUS and REALM OF DARKNESS are open...a few other haunts too...we may end up flipping a coin!

OCTOBER 31, 2011 11 AM - Just had a call from a friend asking if we're going to the OZRIC TENTACLES concert tomorrow in Ferndale at the Magic Bag. YES! We wouldn't miss it, it's one of our favorite pioneers of the Progressive/Space Rock scene from the UK and their amazing light show is legendary! Catch a sample of them live at http://youtu.be/3AWBfrTjc0Q

OCTOBER 31, 2011 2 AM - HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM ZIOPTIS!

TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

What three simple words conjure up imagery of childlike innocence and magic feelings of role-playing aspiration? That's easy. "Trick or Treat!" Ah, those magic words...are they still echoing in your mind? I hope so.

In childhood we learned how make-believe and fantasy role-playing could enrich our lives largely thru Halloween. And it even tasted good!

My brothers and I used pillow cases on our way to collect our just rewards of laughter and sugar based thrills. Some naughty kids switched costumes and hit the same houses again for extra candy. But we never tried it, we couldn't risk Santa punishing us come Christmas time. He's always watching, you know.

We had a neighborhood costume contest each year. All the kids marched down the block in hopes of winning even more candy and bragging rights that lasted much longer than the Snickers and Baby Ruth bars.

I'm the youngest of four boys, and one year my oldest brother took first place in the contest with his homemade robot get-up. It was made from cardboard boxes, wire, switches, a battery, and light bulbs he flashed as fast as he could.

That was the only time I remember being allowed to tag along with him for Halloween. I can still remember all four of us proudly marching in that Halloween parade, happy and free from cares. Ignorance is bliss.

But today's world doesn't seem so care free, and is much crueler than when we waited for our next Halloween adventure. We learned that life doesn't care about your dreams. We learned life doesn't care about your plans. And worst of all, we learned life isn't fair.

It seems just too far away sometimes... but really it's all a state-of-mind. In a world where the only constant is change, I can still experience that same joy and once again hear those same songs in the hearts of the kids on the sidewalks every October 31st.

So if some dreary day before next October you feel down knowing that society and life don't care, just remember that the special day will come again. You'll role-play and fantasize without shame and relive childlike innocence. Or dress up like a tramp and get away with it, maybe even be commended and rewarded!

Whatever your little heart desires is ok! And you won't need ruby red slippers or to click your heels together three times. All you need is to keep in your heart and soul the spirit of those three magic, timeless words: "Trick or Treat!"

And you'll feel like a kid again.

OCTOBER 30, 2011 - DEVIL'S NIGHT DELIGHT!

Wow, tonight we're hitting 4 haunts we've never been to before! We had a lot of other temptations though...

NOW PLAYING ON ZIOPTIS DIAL-A-TRIP - A WAY OLD EPISODEÂ from 1989 inspired by MAXWORLD. It features Tod Dockstader's "Luna Park" at the end, who we referenced in a review earlier this year. Give it a listen at (313) 274-1111.

OCTOBER 30, 2011 1 PM - NEVER FORGET YOUR HERITAGE & ROOTS

Last night we went to the WESTLAND JAYCEES CRYPT OF CARNAGE. Their budget was less than half of what they had in 2010. But considering the improvement as compared to last year, you'd think it had doubled. And we're talking about LESS than $3,000 available for this year!

WOW, how did they do it?

By doing stuff that kids don't learn from iPads, the internet, or sadly many times from their own parents or in school. Stuff that often gets swept under the carpet, in a world where instant gratification and 15 seconds of fame on the internet for saying or doing something really stupid are considered worthy goals. Forgotten virtues like persistence, building depth of character, thriftiness, team spirit, and giving back to society.

And don't forget that the haunt genre itself owes its very existence in no small part due to the early efforts of JAYCEE HAUNTED HOUSES!

REVIEWS RE-ARRANGED - We had put the reviews in reverse alphabetical order in an "equal billing" type of effort. But it was too confusing, so we've gone back to ascending order. Not all experiments work out, just ask Thomas Edison!

Our apologies to WESTLAND HAUNTED WOODS for missing them last night.

OCTOBER 29, 2011 4 PM - TURKEYS AND PUMPKINS AND JAYCEES, OH MY!

Tonight we're finishing off Wayne County, it should be awesome! (see What's Next)

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2012 WEDNESDAY 2 AM - WHAT THE SMART GUY SAID

Once upon a time, a man named Alvin Tofler wrote a book called FUTURE SHOCK with many predictions. One of them also coined the Orwelian-sounding word "OVERCHOICE." To illustrate his point, the paperback version of the book came in 7 different colors!

Well, Tofler was right. And now over choice has come to Halloween.

I'm looking at the latest Party City Halloween catalog, and there are about SEVEN HUNDRED costumes! You can be a crayon, Gumby, Cleopatra, an ostrich, or just about anything else you can imagine.

But the ones that look the coolest are the "MORPHSUITS." They cling to the entire body including the face, but according to the ad you can: "SEE through it. BREATHE through it. DRINK through it."

Wow, how do they do it? Modern science is wonderful!

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY 2 AM - PREMIERE VOLUNTEER HAUNT WITH NEW WEBSITE

We just heard from the always excellent HOUSE OF FEAR in HAZEL PARK. This all volunteer haunt floored us from the get-go with fabulous creativity and off-the-hook actors. They had a brief hiatus, and then came back stronger than ever! Check it out: www.houseoffearhazelpark.org

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY 2 AM - BUCKEYE BONANZA

Just added in OHIO: HAUNTVILLE in ELYRIA, CARNIVAL OF HORRORS in CUYAHOGA FALLS, and SPRINGBORO HAUNTED HAYRIDE & BLACK BOG in LEBANON. Uh, yeah...that's Lebanon, OHIO!

SEPTEMBER 21, 2012 FRIDAY 1 AM - OPENING NIGHT JITTERS

It's finally here!!! The 2012 Haunt Season officially kicks off tonight, and literally thousands of preparations are being made of every kind imaginable...and many that you can't imagine! Ah, that's the magic kicking in...the unknown deluxe experience du jour just waiting to be devoured and savored in all its GORY GLORY!

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 THURSDAY 1 PM - WDIV-TV4 NEWSLADY IN EREBUS STUNT!

What a way to wake up...on the EARLY edition of the Channel 4 News this morning (whoa...the EARLY edition?) they featured a segment on a live remote from EREBUS. The idea was to turn a news reporter into a bona-fide haunt performer, and it was fabulous.

So we've got the reporter interviewing Ed (Erebus owner) and he's telling her all kinds of amazing stuff, right as a makeup artist is airbrushing a ghoulish green face on her! She launches into some great spooky voices, including the ever favorite classic "I'll get YOU, my pretttty!"

EREBUS OPENS TOMORROW, and if you go you just might meet the newest witch in town too!

Also, the REALM OF DARKNESS OPENS TOMORROW TOO! So that's two great haunts in one great city - PONTIAC. Here's your chance to catch two of the Big Players on the Southeast Michigan haunt scene before the season really takes off and gets totally crazy!

We already know it WILL get crazy, because SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN IS THE HAUNTED HOUSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!

Stay tuned for lots of insider goodies...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 THURSDAY 1 AM - "CLICK ON DETROIT" HAUNT WINNER

We just got word that DARKSYDE ACRES won the WDIV TV-4 "CLICK ON DETROIT" website poll for best haunted house! And there's 307 "recommendations" too...lookie here: www.4thebest.clickondetroit.com/place/11163-darksyde-acres

DARKSYDE ACRES is one the key haunts that we unfortunately missed last year, so that makes it a MUST SEE FOR 2012! The theme is DARK ABYSS PIRATE SHIP, and a hayride is new too!

SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 MONDAY 1 AM - THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX / DREAM BIG OR GO HOME

Abandoned buildings are in no short supply in Detroit as you probably know. In the past 50 years, the city has lost 60% of its population and its industrial might has dwindled. Major swaths of the city are now abandoned or severely under populated.

But what if instead of viewing them as ugly blight, we found the silver lining and created a whole new kind of wild, creative experience from them?

Injecting life back into these forgotten neighborhoods seems impossible. But an ambitious group of maverick planners is determined to do just that, and it could only happen in Detroit.

And the plan is to do it with ZOMBIES! Does that sound crazy? Crazy like a fox maybe: www.indiegogo.com/zworlddetroit

SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 - TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS!

ALRIGHT! My partner just called, all excited because she just picked up a copy of the new edition of THE HAUNT GUIDE. There's lots of awesome haunts to be found there, and no doubt the FEAR FINDER will start popping up everywhere you can imagine too. We're chomping at the bit, ready to start another fantastic haunt season!

Earlier today I happened to take Inkster Road to Michigan Avenue on an errand, and saw some cool looking new signs at the HAUNTED FUNERAL HOME in INKSTER. We've been watching this young haunt grow, and they even won our BEST AGGRESSIVE ENDING AWARD FOR 2011! (see Awards)

What have they got up their sleeves this time? What have ALL the haunts got up their sleeves this time out? We can't wait to find out, and bring you the delicious juicy details...but not too many...but enough to entice you and of course to let you know the basics about each haunt.

AUGUST 27, 2012 - CIDER AND DONUTS AND HAUNTING, OH MY!

We're already getting stoked for the upcoming haunt season!

I can almost taste it now...literally! I just finished smacking my lips getting the last little bit of delicious goodness from those wonderful multi-grain cinnamon donuts and fresh apple cider from ERWIN'S ORCHARDS in SOUTH LYON.

A friend went to ERWIN'S over the weekend for her annual tradition of "U PICK family fun." Unfortunately, apples are not currently available for U PICK but they ARE making fresh cider, and it's chock full of tasty goodness!

Ok, I'm not sure where the apples were actually grown...

But how many times have we seen the Michigan Cherry Festival in Traverse City import cherries from Washington? It's been a brutal growing season for Michigan, and orchard owners are doing what they have to.

What about Wiard's? Bust at Blake's? Missing at Miller's? Who will supply the fabulous non-pasteurized cider when we arrive at the HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR?

Sigh...no trip to ERWIN'S or any other orchard would be complete without the mandatory cider and donuts!

Mother Nature has been cruel, so let's turn the tide and SUPPORT MICHIGAN APPLE ORCHARDS this season regardless of where their apples were grown!

AUGUST 23, 2012 - THE FUTURE OF DETROIT, WORLD CAPITAL OF HAUNTED HOUSES