SPOOKY WORLD COMES HOME ———— By Steve Nadis
As many of you know, October has traditionally been a hiatus for me–a chance to spend some quality time, and virtually camp out, at my favorite haunt, Spooky World. For years, this family-friendly theme park was Foxborough, Massachusetts’ best-kept secret, opening its doors each fall to the innocents. Last month, my world (aka “Stevie World”) was rocked, as if an earthquake had torn my home asunder, by the announcement that Spooky World would be closed and its holdings auctioned off, piece by piece. At first, the news was hard to fathom. An October without Spooky World? Surely this could not be. But then I bounced back, showing a resilience that surprised me–a hardiness reminiscent of another Foxborough mainstay, the New England Patriot football team. Rather than wallow in self-pity, which was how most people I know reacted, I tried to turn a negative into positive–an attitude that would have made Coach Belichick proud. If I could not make my home in Spooky World, well then Spooky World would have to come to me. Mind you, I could not afford to purchase the park’s entire, million-dollar-plus holdings. Perhaps if I’d been more frugal in my youth. But that was then. Today’s reality was this: I could not sit back and let Spooky World slip away from my life forever. I consolidated some loans, took out a second mortgage, and bought what I could. My two-year-old daughter now shares her bedroom with wax statues of Charles Manson and Bela Lugosi. The poor girl, I’m ashamed to admit, is a bit of a scaredy-cat, preferring her stuffed bears and bunnies to cult murderer and vampire. I patiently explain that Spooky World has been a vital New England tradition for the past 13 years, and we must always honor the past. Besides, my bedroom was already stuffed with artifacts–fog machines, torture devices, gargoyles, bats, and assorted monsters–courtesy of Spooky World’s Horror Museum. I can barely make it to the bathroom in the middle of the night without killing myself, and there’s absolutely nowhere to put Charles and Bela except in the bed itself–a sacrifice that even a horror nut like me has refused to make. My five-year-old did her part without complaint, trashing her Barbie set to free up space within her quarters for legions of Disco Ghosts and Killer Klowns. My only complaint is that she consistently misspells “Klowns,” substituting a “c” in place of “k.” I have to remind myself that her kindergarten is what they call “traditional.” No Child Left Behind notwithstanding, education is not what it used to be. The Grim Reaper now sits at the head of our kitchen table–our dining room jammed with artifacts from the House of Fangs, one of the nicest mausoleum’s you’d ever hope to visit. Having ceded my chair to the cause, I often kneel next to the table to join my family at dinner. It all comes down to values: We put a premium on togetherness in our household, even if that includes the odd ghoul or zombie. The living room is, shall we say, a work in progress. While Tiny Tim’s ukulele is a proud addition to any room, I’m still trying to find a way of exhibiting Janet Leigh’s “Psycho” dress to best effect. Michael Myers’ knife from “Halloween” is also posing some display challenges, though I’m confident a solution is close at hand. While it’s hard to single out any one area in particular, the bathroom is the place I’m most proud of. For starters, we have the shower curtain and stenciled drain pattern from “Psycho”–original items that did not come cheap. Latex cobwebs stretch from ceiling to floor, while the sink is filled with a seething mass of glow-in-the-dark plastic snakes. Those things, I expect, can be found in most any house. What sets this room apart is the toilet: The usual whooshing sound has been replaced with Vincent Price’s unforgettable laugh from “The House of Wax.” Admirers have called it “a flush of genius.” But I’m more modest, merely considering it a deft stroke. I’m always shocked to hear from friends who have little or no childhood memories of Halloween. It’s sad to think that such an important part of our heritage–arguably the most important part–could pass by, year after year, without making a dent. I may not be the perfect dad. In fact, I’m sure that upon occasion I’ve left the toilet seat up and toothpaste uncapped. There may be other missteps I can’t recall. Milk left out over night and that sort of thing. But on one point I’m certain: My children will always remember their Halloweens–frightful days that may provide fodder for decades of fruitful psychotherapy. Now I’ve got to make sure the non-Halloween portion of their lives also makes an impression. Responsible parents like me can do no less. ———————————————————————————————– Cambridge resident Steve Nadis has vacation property in Foxborough for sale or lease.
Posted by
at
14:42:37
Was there really a wax statue of Charles Manson at Spooky World?
Thanks for that most trenchant query. The answer, to the best of my knowlege, is "quite possibly."
Oh yes there was a Charles Manson wax statue at Spookyworld, and one of Richard Ramirez better known as The Night Stalker. I myself worked at SpookyWorld for 10 years as Leatherface. I miss the place, Octobers are not the same.
Wow, Leatherface! I remember you… Yes, we’ll all miss Spooky World.
ive been to spooky world every year since they opened, when it was in berlin, MA then Foxborough MA, anyone know where the place is reopening at?
Hi Andy — I haven’t heard that it is opening. But if I find out that it is, I’ll write something about it. For now, all we can do is hope…
I have heard that the owner was looking at property in Carver, MA. Think about this one… this is where during christmas you have edaville railroad(the christmas attraction). During the late summer you have King Richards Fair. It would be the perfect place for a Halloween park, since so many people are already there for other themed event. ALso there is a lot of land in Carver.
THis is just a rumor.. I heard from a friend who knows a friend of a friend of the former owner of Spooky world type thing…
Thanks Rumorman — I’m happy to help spread this rumor around. And remember, you heard it here first at Call Me Snake.
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN SPOOKY WORLD WILL BE OPENING UP I HEARD ITS GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THE BOSTON AREA..
Hi Laura — I don’t know more than you but we can always hope.
Well Everyone, there is hope. I am an employee of Edaville railroad in carver and they have purshased several of the props from spooky world and are hiring contracters to make additional props and my boss is spending a lot of time online on horror sites. So there are two possibilites, one is Edaville will be hosting some type of spooky world program in the years to come or edaville is in charge of a project in some other area. Either way I know something is coming.
Thank you Anthony for giving us a perchance to hope and a perchance to dream…
i too miss spooky world
Thanks Matt, you’re clearly not alone.
My boss just informed me that the first phase of spooky world is back. It will be all indoors at the Bayside Expo center beginning October 6th every Friday and Saturday. I am sure it will not be the same. I will be there anyways. Check out the site at http://www.spookyworld.com
He told me that this first phase is to start the hype for the “All New Spooky World” which will supposedly better and bigger than ever. We will see. I am a skeptic.
Thanks Anthony, that’s good to know about.
Check the website! It’s back!!
Thanks Rag Man — I’m there!
spookyworld.com it’s up at the bayside expo center is seems. i’m a first timer, so i’m quite excited!
Thanks “Seek,” so Spookyworld really has come home afterall.
i am trying to find info of this amusement park.. i know nothing of it, was told it was so cool.. can you please send me info.. thanks 15 feb 2007
Hi A — It’s moved recently & I’m not sure where. You’d better check their website.
Spooky is still running as a horror theme park in the month of October. It now resides at the bayside expo center in Boston, MA. It features 6 haunted attractions, Stars that were included last year was the orignal leatherface, Butch Patrick “eddie from the Musnster’s”, and a permanent staple The Magic Of Lance Gifford and Co. A.K.A Magic of Gifford and Roy
Thanks Jarrod; that’s good to know.
I worked in the Cirque Macabre the last year Spooky World was in Berlin. I mostly worked the entrance to the Cirque, but on Monday nights, I gave Ruth a break and played “mouse girl”, I loved it!
Foxboro was too far to travel on a regular basis, as I wouldn’t get out of work on time and had 2 kids.
I worked at the Haunted Mansion in Fitchburg for a couple of years and the last year I worked at Witch’s Woods at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford.
I love scaring people, but I sure do miss Spooky World!
I first went to Spooky World when Tiny Tim and ?Ali McGraw or Adrienne Barbeau were there - either ‘94 or ‘95. Probably, ‘94. Chainsaw dude on hayride was as scary as the ATV guy at Hobo Railroad, Lincoln, NH.
HI!
Rumor has it Spooky World is returning to its original home in Berlin MA. I drove by that property last month and Sure enough the buildings still exist and attached to the barn a Giant Sighn reads “Spooky World Americas Horror Theme Park.”
Spooky World is now at Canbobie Lake Park
http://www.canobielake.com/sw08.php
can i make friend with you??