Springfield families can look forward to a spooky weekend at the Springfield History Museum as it reopens its annual haunted house, “Screamfield General Hospital,” on Oct. 22-24 and Oct. 29-31. Curator Maddi McGraw and dozens of volunteers will turn the museum into a haunted hospital filled with ghosts, goblins and ghouls, raising money for the museum’s collections, programs and exhibits.
Event Details
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children, and free for kids under five. The haunted house runs from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a family‑friendly atmosphere—fewer scares and more lights. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the experience becomes darker and more intense for thrill‑seekers.
After braving the haunted corridors, visitors can stop at a recovery station offering complimentary hot cider and candy for those who survived the scares.
Community Carnival
In partnership with the Springfield Block Party, the museum will host the Screamfield Monster Bash on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The free carnival will feature live music by the Boot Heel Dance Band, a costume catwalk, vendors, carnival games and a pumpkin derby. Sixth Street between Main and A streets will be closed for the event, with most activities taking place in the City Hall parking lot.
Derby races begin at 4:30 p.m., with age‑bracket prizes. Participants can build their own pumpkin on wheels or purchase a kit in advance from the Friends of the Springfield Public Library and the Springfield History Museum.
Dog Costume Contest
The museum’s second‑annual dog costume contest will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 29. The free event is co‑sponsored by Pup’s Place, and Caught in the Act Entertainment will provide a complimentary photo booth.
Impact
Last year’s fundraiser attracted 1,100 visitors and generated $4,200 for the museum, while also raising community awareness of its mission. McGraw says the event is a labor of love: “I do this partly for myself, just because I love Halloween. I love community events. I have a lot of great memories of going to Halloween carnivals as a kid, and I wanted to bring that spirit back to our community.”
All ages are welcome to enjoy the haunted house, carnival and dog contest, making this October a memorable time for families, pet owners and history enthusiasts alike.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
