Metro Detroit Called The 'Haunted House Capital Of The World'
By Edward Cardenas
SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) - When it comes to ghost, goblins, scary clowns and frighteningly scary places, Metro Detroit is tops.
Ed Terebus, the co-owner of the Erebus Haunted Attraction and publisher of the "Fear Finder" haunted attraction guide, calls the area the "haunted house capital of the world."
With nearly 60 haunted attractions throughout the region - from small, community events to intricate, large-scale haunted houses - there is something for every scare level.
Terebus attributes this growth of haunted attractions to the "Fear Finder" guide he started in 1993. What began as a small publication, has grown to a run of 600,000 copies with an on-line component.
"It is because of that paper, southeast Michigan is the haunted house capital of the world," said Terebus, who added that guide has allowed the smaller venues to remain open by having a marketing vehicle and included on haunted house outings. "The average guy is going to between three to five haunted houses."
He added that Michigan's climate, where the seasons are celebrated, along with the uniqueness of Halloween, makes this such a popular holiday in metro Detroit.
"Haloween is kind of a selfish holiday. You don't have to buy anybody presents. You don't have to visit nobody," said Terebus, who adds you dress up, trick or treat and visit haunted houses. "You graduate from tick or treating to haunted houses. It is part of the holiday tradition here in Michigan."
