Fright Nights over, for now
Fearing that visitors can’t keep their distance in dark haunted houses, organizers of Fright Nights in West Palm Beach have canceled their 2020 bash at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Fright Nights, which typically hosts its annual carnival-haunted house gathering over multiple weeks in September and October, is not programming its bash for the first time after 18 consecutive seasons of terrorizing Halloween thrill-seekers.
“Given the nature of this event, where large groups of people walk closely together through dark corridors in the haunted houses, we could not ensure social distancing,” Vicki Chouris, South Florida Fairgrounds’ president and CEO, said on Tuesday. “The safety of our guests, volunteers and staff will always be first and foremost.”
Fright Nights will
Chouris adds.
The cancellation is the latest in a rash of similarly scuttled October festivals across Florida. In July, organizers canceled the 41st edition of Fantasy Fest (Oct. 16-25), the annual masking and costuming bash in Key West. In Orlando, Universal Studios likewise canceled its annual Halloween Horror Nights event, citing “business restrictions” linked to the pandemic.
Organizers of Wicked Manors in Wilton Manors and Moonfest in West return in 2021,
Palm Beach — all major local festivals — have yet to announce plans for October.
At Fright Nights, among the biggest Halloween spectacles in South Florida, thousands of guests tour four themed haunted houses. There are also costumed frighteners posted around the park in designated “scare zones,” along with carnival rides, midway games and deep-fried fair food.
Meanwhile, Chouris says organizers are trying to salvage Spookyville, Fright Nights’ family-friendly offshoot at the Fairgrounds’ Yesteryear Village. That event, which takes place over several days in October, features trick-or-treat stations, games and other live entertainment. Organizers plan to announce plans for Spookyville later in August.