Minnesota’s Top Halloween Attraction Is Back After 2-Year Break

According to Michelle Cutler, a professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, haunted attractions trigger the release of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine in our brains. She told CNBC, we're left with feelings of euphoria and empowerment once the fear fades away.

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed experience at Minnesota's top haunted attraction. After a two-year hiatus, it's back and bigger than ever, reclaiming its title as the Midwest's premier Halloween destination.

For many years, Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota, would turn into a spooky amusement park every September and October, filled with hundreds of monsters and haunted attractions for Halloween enthusiasts. ValleyScare was the biggest Halloween event in the Midwest.

But in 2022, to everyone's surprise, the park announced that they wouldn't be hosting the popular Halloween event anymore. Valleyfair transitioned to a more family-friendly, kid-focused event. They described it as an "over-the-top, larger-than-life, gotta-be-there Halloween event"

 ValleyScare Is Back!

Valleyfair is now promoting the return of its popular Halloween event and is saying it will be more intense than ever. They said their "most popular rides will be open at night to deliver the amazing thrills and chills found only at Valleyfair."

The attraction will be open on select Fridays and Saturdays in September and October and will feature three new haunted mazes, three new scare zones, night rides, live entertainment, and themed drinks and food.

Valleyfair opened in 1976 and now features over 75 rides and a complete water park.

Last year, it was announced that the park's parent company Cedar Fair was merging with Six Flags. The two companies currently operate 27 amusement parks and 15 water parks in North America. CBS News says, "The merger will result in an estimated $200 million in cost savings, according to their projections, with more than half of those coming from administration and operational cost cuts."