Spider Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spider Hill |
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Spider Hill logo
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Sign for Spider Hill at Three Sisters Park, October 2023
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| Status | Active |
| Frequency | Annually in October |
| Venue | Three Sisters Park |
| Location(s) | 17189 State Route 29, Chillicothe, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 40°32′01″N 89°18′05″W / 40.533633°N 89.301313°W |
| Country | USA |
| Inaugurated | 1999 |
Spider Hill is a fun and spooky event held every year at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois. It's a special way to celebrate Halloween with lots of thrills!
This event features different scary attractions. You can explore a spooky trail, a haunted house, and even a haunted hayride. Many people say it's the best haunted event in Central Illinois.
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History of Spider Hill
Spider Hill started in 1999. It was created by the local Optimist Club and Three Sisters Park. The very first event had three main attractions for visitors to enjoy. These were the Massacre Mansion, the Haunted Express haunted hayride, and the Trail of Terror. The Trail of Terror takes you on a scary walk through the forest.
About 8,000 people visited Spider Hill in its first year. The event's name comes from a spooky old legend. It tells a story about 23 people who supposedly died from spider bites long ago during World War I.
Volunteers Make it Happen
Spider Hill is run completely by volunteers. In 2000, there were 60 volunteers helping out. By 2007, that number grew to 165! In 2022, about 100 people volunteered their time. These volunteers even attend workshops to learn the best ways to scare people.
The last time attendance numbers were shared was in 2004. That year, 20,000 visitors came to the attractions during October weekends and on Halloween night. Volunteers say that scary clowns often get the biggest reactions! One time, a grown-up even fainted twice from a clown scare.
Spider Hill took a break in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spider Hill Attractions
Spider Hill offers several exciting and spooky attractions. Each one gives visitors a unique and thrilling experience.
Massacre Mansion: The Haunted House
Massacre Mansion is the main haunted house at Spider Hill. It's a very large building, about 8,000 square feet! In 2012, the people who run Spider Hill bought another haunted house. They used its props and scenery to make Massacre Mansion even bigger and scarier.
Haunted Trail: The Trail of Terror
The Trail of Terror is a winding path that goes through the forest. As you walk along the trail, you'll find many spooky surprises and scares waiting for you.
Hayride Adventures
The original haunted hayride at Spider Hill was changed for a while. It became the Zombie Invasion, where you could shoot paintballs from a "war wagon." However, in 2022, the Zombie Invasion was put on hold because of how much it cost. The hayride then returned to being a fun, family-friendly scenic ride.
Paranormal Investigation
In 2023, Spider Hill added a new experience. They teamed up with a group called Enlightened Souls Paranormal. This group offers a chance to do a paranormal investigation inside an old building at the park. Tickets for this special ghost-hunting experience were $45 in 2023.
