5221 S. Mulligan, Chicago, IL
Year: 2014
One of the things we really enjoy at Horror Tourers is a haunt that does a lot with a little space. Haunting has changed a lot in the past 20 years or so, and now practically anyone can purchases elaborate props for their yard. Gone are the days where Halloween decorations were simply cardboard cutouts placed in the windows and on doors. However, space is still an issue, so setting things out creatively can be a challenge, depending on how much space you have.
Such can be the case in a lot of areas on Chicago's Southwest side. Many front lawns (and even back lawns) are small, limiting the space for Halloween expansion, yet we've seen numerous haunts that manage quite well. Eerie Acres is one such haunt. It has managed to turn limited front yard space into a wonderland of props, lighting, and basic Halloween goodness. Spaced out all along the front yard, Eerie Acres consists of life size figures (both moving and static), divided into various themes. There are jumping spiders, demon babies in their own little playground, talking figures, howling figures, and lots of little surprises. In fact, there's so much to see that if you look too quickly you are guaranteed to miss something. The front of the house and the fence around the side also get into the act, with the large bay windows acting like a showroom for more haunted creatures in a living room setting, and the back fence is the resting place of a giant horned demon creature. One of our favorite pieces here is a horse-headed character that we've not seen anywhere else. He appears in different places each year and we're always happy to see him! The entire setup is bathed in colorful lighting that makes each of the figures stand out. There are many little nuances to the display, too, and it's definitely worth stopping by to see. Kudos to the operator, who always managed to squeeze in a bit more each year, sometimes with the cooperation of his neighbor who graciously lets the owner use part of his lawn to expand his growing cemetery! |
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