The Halloween season is quickly approaching.  As September begins, the haunted house season is right around the corner. Visiting a haunted house or haunted attraction is a popular way for friends to celebrate terrifying Halloween times. We’ve put together a list of some frightening facts about haunted houses and Halloween.

  • Halloween is the second largest commercial holiday in the United States. Christmas is the first.
  • Haunted houses are not just an American venture. There are over 100 countries that operate haunted houses worldwide.
  • In the United States, over 10 billion dollars is spent on Halloween candy, costumes and haunted attraction activities.
  • More than 90% of all U.S. households with children will participate in a Halloween activity.
  • Men are 24% more likely to visit a haunted house than women
  • The most common age range for those who frequent Halloween haunted attractions is 18-34.
  • Haunted Attractions peak season is during September and October.
  • Halloween generates more revenue in 60 days than Hollywood generates from January to October.
  • A recent estimate from the Haunted House Association indicated that roughly 2,700 haunted attractions operate across the United States. This is more than the 1,822 Target stores that were reported to be open in 2017!
  • Research shows that people enjoy being frightened in a safe environment, and that people are willing to pay for that safe, yet scary experience.
  • Most haunted house today cost around $20.00 per person.  Major amusement park haunts charge as much as $100.00 for entry into their events.
  • Many ancient civilizations had their own versions of haunted houses. Greek and Roman mythology tell stories of labyrinths filled with scary monsters. During the early years of Christianity, horror plays designed to frighten people into converting.
  • Haunted houses can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt. To keep body snatchers and gold diggers away from the treasures of the recently deceased, Egyptians built within the pyramids mazes, moving walls, and traps filled with snakes and insects.
  • In 1802, Marie Tussaud and her wax heads began touring England. The show was a hit with British audiences. The “Chamber of Horrors” by Marie Tussaud opened in 1835 as an exhibit in London’s Baker Street Bazaar. “Madam Tussaud” died in 1850, but several items from her original collection are still on display in the museum in London.
  • The first documented haunted attraction was the Orton and Spooner Ghost House, in 1915, which was part of the Edwardian Fair in England.

We hope all of these freaky facts have boosted your interest in visiting us at Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus in American Fork. This year, when the lights go out, the freaks come out! Doors open Friday, September 14th! If you’re ready to kick off this Halloween season, get your haunted house tickets online now!