It was a cool evening when my friend Chester Sikora took me on a tour of his neighborhood in Roselle to see Halloween displays. I wasn’t expecting much, just some decorated houses. But I was in for a surprise.
We parked in front of a house with a ticket booth, which turned out to be just for show. The experience inside was free. As we were handed a playbill labeled “Hellhouse Theatre,” a child dressed as a cat playfully scared me. The haunted house was called “The Revenge of Hansel and Gretel,” and it was a ten-minute walkthrough filled with interactive elements and candy treats.
Harvey’s Hellhouse is just one of over 400 haunted experiences in the Chicago area created by Chicago Haunt Builders (CHB). This community of Halloween enthusiasts has been around since the early 2000s, but it wasn’t until 2011 that it grew into a Facebook group and website with over 3,200 members today.
The Delaney family, owners of Harvey’s Hellhouse, starts planning their Halloween display early in the year. They dedicate a lot of time and effort into creating a spooky experience for the community. Similarly, other CHB members like Toby Wrolson, Cheryl, and Mike contribute their expertise to make Halloween displays unique and impressive.
While some CHB houses are interactive walkthrough experiences, most are for viewing only. These displays are usually free, with some asking for donations for local charities. This makes them an affordable and accessible Halloween activity for families who want a fun and spooky experience without breaking the bank.
Chicago Haunt Builders also extend their creativity to Christmas displays, with many builders in Carol Stream putting on massive Christmas displays in late November and December. So, if you’re looking for a unique and low-cost Halloween or Christmas experience, check out the CHB website for a list of participating houses.
Chester Sikora, a longtime visitor of CHB houses, appreciates the effort and dedication that goes into creating these displays for the community. He finds joy in the whimsical and unique experiences that CHB houses offer, making them a special part of his Halloween traditions.
Overall, Chicago Haunt Builders provide a fun and festive way to celebrate Halloween and Christmas in the Chicago area. Their displays showcase creativity, community spirit, and a love for the holidays that brings joy to visitors of all ages.
