| For similar events at other legacy Cedar Fair parks, see Halloween Haunt. |
The current logo of Knott's Scary Farm
Knott's Scary Farm is an annual Halloween Haunt event at Knott's Berry Farm. Dating back to 1973, it is the oldest running Halloween event of any theme park.
History[]
First flyer in 1973
The original "Halloween Haunt" event was planned by Martha Boyd and George Condos of the park's marketing department with Bill Hollingshead from the entertainment department. The debut on October 26 to 28 in 1973 was an immediate success with television personality Larry Vincent presiding as the "Ghost Host" in his "Sinister Seymour" persona. Every night of the subsequent year was sold out when Vincent returned with Lisa Clark as "Moona Lisa" joining him.[1][2]
After Vincent died of cancer, the annual Halloween Haunt was hosted by Wolfman Jack from 1975 to 1980, during which the park began interchangeably using "Knott's Scary Farm" to describe the event.[3][4] Dr. Demento and "Weird Al" Yankovic appeared in 1981.[5] Cassandra Peterson began appearing as "Elvira" in the following year, along with a stage show through 2017. She was released from her contract as the park sought to make its events more family friendly, but she continues to make limited appearances.[2][6][7]
List of events[]
1974 newspaper ad
1975 ticket
1980 newspaper ad
1983 newspaper ad
1991 flyer
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1973 — October 26 to 28.
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1974 — October 25 to 27.
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1975 — October ?? to November ?
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1976 — October 28 to 31.[3]
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1977 — October 27 to 31.[8]
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1978 — October 2? to 31
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1979 — October 2? to 31
- Knott's Halloween Haunt 1980 — select nights from October 24 to November 2.[4][9]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1981 — select nights from October 23 to November 1.[5]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1982 — select nights from October 22 to 31.[7]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1983 — select nights from October 21 to 31.[10]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1984 — select nights from October 19 to 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1985 — select nights from October 18 to ??.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1986 — select nights from October 17 to November 2.[11]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1987 — select nights from October 16 to November 1.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1988 — select nights from October 14 to 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1989 — select nights from October 13 to 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1990 — select nights from October 12 to 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1991 — select nights from October 11 to November 2.[4][12]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1992 — select nights from October 9 to November 1.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1993 — select nights from October 8 to 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1994 — select nights from October 7 to 31.[13]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1995 — select nights from October 6 to 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 1996 — select nights from October 11 to November 2.[14]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1997 — select nights from October 3 to November 1.[15]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1998 — select nights from October 2 to 31.[16][17]
- Knott's Scary Farm 1999 — select nights from October 1 to 31.[18]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2000 — select nights from October 5 to 31.[19]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2001 — select nights from October 4 to November 3.[20]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2002 — select nights from October 3 to November 2.[21]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2003 — select nights from October 1 to November 1.[22]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2004 — select nights from September 30 to October 31.[23]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2005 — select nights from September 29 to October 31.[24]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2006 — select nights from September 28 to October 31.[25]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2007 — select nights from September 27 to October 31.[26][27]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2008 — select nights from September 25 to November 1.[28]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2009 — select nights from September 24 to October 31.[29]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2010 — select nights from September 24 to October 31.[30]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2011 — select nights from September 23 to October 31.[31]
- Knott's Scary Farm 2012 — select nights from September 21 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2013 — select nights from September 26 to November 2.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2014 — select nights from September 25 to November 1.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2015 — select nights from September 24 to November 1.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2016 — select nights from September 22 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2017 — select nights from September 21 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2018 — select nights from September 20 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2019 — select nights from September 19 to November 2.
Knott's Scary Farm 2020— cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.[32]- Knott's Scary Farm 2021 — select nights from September 16 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2022 — select nights from September 22 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2023 — select nights from September 21 to October 31.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2024 — select nights from September 19 to November 2.
- Knott's Scary Farm 2025 — select nights from September 18 to November 1.
Videos[]
The History of Knott’s Scary Farm - Expedition Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott's Scary Farm • 1986 Halloween Haunt Promo
Elvira Mistress of the Dark - Knott's Scary Farm 2017
References[]
- ↑ How Knott’s Berry Farm started the theme park Halloween fun. The Orange County Register (2015-10-06). Archived from the original on November 11, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The History of Knott’s Scary Farm: A Sinister Start by Expedition Theme Park, YouTube. 2019-10-12.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Legacy of Halloween Haunt by Uncle Mike, The Ultimate Tribute to the Haunt. Archived 2003-09-09.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Knott’s Scary Farm Celebrates 50 Years of Never-Ending Nightmares: Guests Can Expect Nostalgic Nods to the Past and Wicked New Mazes, Theme Park Duo. 2023-08-25.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Weird Al" Yankovic - Dr. Demento - Knott's Berry Farm 1981 concert poster RARE, WorthPoint. 2017-07-26. Archived 2017-07-30.
- ↑ Pimentel, Joseph (2015-10-23). Knott’s took time to get this scar. The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Knott's Halloween Haunt (Knott's Scary Farm) - 1980s by TokyoMagic!, Meet The World. 2024-10-04.
- ↑ Knotts Scary Farm Promo Poster/Print Wolfman Jack 1978[sic], WorthPoint. 2008-07-03.
- ↑ Check out this Knott's Scary Farm map from 1980. by Knott's Berry Farm, Facebook. 2014-08-21.
- ↑ Knott's Scary Farm (Knott's Berry Farm) ad (Friday, October 21, 1983) by AxlCobainVedder, Reddit. 2024-02-28.
- ↑ Knott's Scary Farm • 1986 Halloween Haunt Promo by BK Pictures, YouTube. 2022-09-12.
- ↑ Williams, Kenneth (1991-10-24). HALLOWEEN EVENTS : THEY’RE CREEPY and THEY’RE KOOKY : ... Making Things Altogether Ooky at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Annual Haunt. Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Knott’s Scary Farm 22nd Halloween Haunt Brochure, Collect Peanuts. 2015-05-14.
- ↑ Epstein, Benjamin (1996-10-10). Scary Farm Offers Thrills Knott for the Faint of Heart. Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020.
- ↑ Williams, Ken (1997-10-02). Knott’s stirs up its 25th year of Halloween chills and thrills.. Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Knott’s Scary Farm produces terror, Daily Bruin. 1998-10-21.
- ↑ Harris, Lee (1998-10-15). Theme Parks Ready to Celebrate Halloween With Tricks, Treats. Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Seasonal Events - Fall, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 1999-10-13.
- ↑ Seasonal Events - Fall, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2000-08-17.
- ↑ Halloween Haunt - Dates, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2001-09-09.
- ↑ Halloween Haunt, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2002-08-05.
- ↑ Calendar of Events, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2003-10-03.
- ↑ Calendar of Events, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2004-09-07.
- ↑ Calendar of Events, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2005-09-07.
- ↑ Calendar of Events, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2006-09-02.
- ↑ Calendar of Events, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2007-09-24.
- ↑ Knott's Halloween Haunt XXXV, Knott's Berry Farm. Archived 2007-09-25.
- ↑ Calendar of Events, Knotts Berry Farm. Archived 2008-09-13.
- ↑ Events Calendar, Knott's Berry Farm. Archived 2009-10-01.
- ↑ Knott’s Berry Farm Reveals 2010 Halloween Haunt Mazes by David Wallace, Disney-°o°-Rama. 2010-07-19.
- ↑ MacDonald, Brady (2011-05-14). Knott’s Berry Farm unveils Halloween Haunt 2011 mazes and scare zones. Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Knott’s Berry Farm Cancels Its Annual Halloween Haunt For 2020 Due To Coronavirus Pandemic by Tom Tapp, Deadline. 2020-08-04.
See also[]
- Knott's Spooky Farm, a concurrent family-friendly event for kids.
External links[]
- Special Events at Knott's Berry Farm
- Knott's Scary Farm official webpage
- The Ultimate Tribute to the Haunt fan history site
- Knott's Scary Farm at the Knott's Scary Farm Wiki
- Knott's Scary Farm at the Halloween Wiki
- Knott's Scary Farm at the Theme Parks Wiki
Knott's Scary Farm at Wikipedia
