9028 S. sproat, oak lawn, il
years: 2009-2012
Spirits on Sproat is a yard display located in Oak Lawn, IL. The Tourers have been visiting this location since 2009, and we always enjoy coming back to see what's new (and even what's old).
The "spirits" of the haunt name are life size figures representing famous monsters from horror movies, TV, literature, and even some inventions direct from the owner's mind. Some of the more recognizable figures include Leatherface, Freddy Krueger, Michael Meyers, and Jason Voorhees, although there are many more. All of the figures are hand created, so they represent a departure from your typical Halloween stand up displays. In addition to the familiar, there are more generic spirits hanging from the trees and from the house itself, as well as figures depicting such literary figures as the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Headless Horseman. Finally, there are original spirits, such as Iggy Vicious, a horror spin on rockers Iggy Pop and Sid Vicious, respectively. All of the figures feature small paragraphs of information - a combination of the factual and the fanciful - that make the entire display seem like one is visiting a history museum (albeit a horror history one). Although most of the figures remain the same from year to year, there are always new ones added and variations on themes. Thus, there is always something interesting to see. Additionally, on some nights, live actors roam the displays (and the street), preying upon unsuspecting visitors. On the night we visited in 2012, leatherface and a killer clown were on the prowl, as well as a skull-faced ghoul on the front porch. Overall, it's easy to see why this display is so popular. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of enthusiasm = a labor of love, if you will - and that's what gives it that little extra "something:" that sets it apart from more traditional displays. It's highly recommended, and it's enjoyable for all ages, especially when there aren't any live actors around to scare the little ones! If you're close to the area, or even if you're not, make sure you check out Spirits on Sproat - you'll be glad you did! |