Looking for a Haunted Attraction? You Might Like This

We have one full-time employee whose name is Joe Leach, but he is better known as "Mr. Wizard." Joe is addicted to Halloween and is the master of mechanical concoctions. I never have met anyone that can match his mechanical ingenuity. Several years ago, Joe gave us his day job as a contractor to work at the Scream Park on a full-time basis.

How long have you been in the business?

My first year working with the Niles Haunted House was in 1980.

How did you start?

I started as a volunteer with the Greater Niles Jaycee's Haunted House. After my first year, I made the mistake of attending a meeting and suggesting how things could be improved. From that day forward I was put in charge of the project. The once small time operation now has grown into a 44 acre plus Scream Park.

What's the scariest Haunted House you ever attended?

I really am not sure how to answer this question because the "top notch" haunted houses each have something unique and spooktacular to offer to their patrons. Some have special effects, others have unique scares and some just blow a person away with their intricate decorations. During the many years that I have been haunting, I have traveled from coast to coast
and probably have visited more than 100 haunted houses. I honestly can not say that I have a favorite attraction. I always try to find something good or unique about each haunted attraction that I visit. There probably are about ten attractions that I have visited during the past 28 years that are in a category of their own which I call the "A+ category." It really is impossible to say that one of them is better than another because they each have their own unique attributes.

What inspires you to create?

I enjoy seeing the final product that results in customer satisfaction.

Do you ever get scared anymore?

I would say no, but my partner would have a different opinion.

What does scare you?

Rain, snow or any other type of bad weather in October.

Do you believe in real haunted houses? Ghosts? Etc.

Yes. Although I never have had a paranormal experience, I still am waiting and hoping. When I retire from my day job, I hope to have more time to pursue this type of "adventure."

Who is your average customer?

Personally I feal that individuals that visit a haunted attraction are not "average." Each patron attends the attraction for a different reason thereby making them unique and not "average." Since our facility is geared toward family entertainment, our customers come from all walks of life and range from six years old to ninety two years old.

What are your five year goals?

Although I consider myself an organized person (some people would say that I am anal), I do not have a five year goal. My goals change from year to year. As far as the Scream Park is concerned, my goal always is to improve it and make it the best that it can be. I always want it to be something that is changing, hopefully for the better and that once patrons have experienced it, feel that it was worth their time and money to visit with us.

For More information please check out:

Pete Karlowicz
Niles Haunted House Scream Park
Park Manager
101 S. Broadway
Cassopolis, MI 49031
TX: 269-445-9184
www.haunted.org