Lombard Jaycees give 'lost souls' a new hangout

Coming soon to an abandoned cinema near you: zombies, ghosts, psychos and, of course, a killer clown.

These are some of the residents of the "Theatre of Lost Souls."

At 7:30 p.m. today, the Lombard Jaycees will open this frightful palace to start the group's 37th annual haunted house, at 1000 N. Rowhling Road.

The haunted house is scheduled to run through Halloween starting at 7:30 p.m. each evening, with the exception of Oct. 15, 22 and 29.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 10 and younger.

There are Saturday lights-on matinee hours from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27 where kids get thrilled for $3 and adults pay $2.

On Oct. 17 and 18, there will be military appreciation nights in which all members with a military ID can get inside for $3, a savings of $7.

While the address is the same as in years past, the location of the haunted house is different, said Jaycee Mike Hughes, who has worked on the group's haunted houses for 21 years.

Hughes said since the management company that owns their former site is putting the property on the market, the Jaycees were offered a nearby place.

"We're back around the corner, which was the old Vibe Nite Club," Hughes said.

"And since the building was originally a movie theater, we thought we'd run with the idea of going to an abandoned movie house where people step into horror movie themes."

A scary hotel, a haunted library, a large cemetery and a "Hillbilly Heaven" area are among the features in this year's house.

The new location means a larger haunted house space- about 18,000 square feet, Hughes said, which he described as having "a lot of ups and downs. It is quite a large maze work."

Brave hearts terrified by long lines can purchase tickets online at www.haunted-house.com.

Not-so-brave hearts get photographed to document falling down and running out of the house early and placed in the "Wall O' Shame," a testament to the house's scare power.

If you go

What: Lombard Jaycees 37th annual Haunted House, "Theatre of Lost Souls"

When: 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and Halloween; 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; matinees with lights on for kids from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27

Where: 1000 N. Rowhling Road, Lombard, near Harlem Furniture off Route 53 and North Avenue

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children age 10 and under; $3 for kids, $2 for adults for matinees

Details: www.haunted-house.com