FIELD OF SCREAMS OPENS THURSDAY
Every October, Modern Woodmen Park opens its gates to those that dare to step foot inside the Field of Screams haunted house. On Thursday the biggest and best haunted house in the Quad Cities returns with a twist, as the River Bandits present Field of Screams 2008: Shoeless Joe's Revenge.
"Our ballpark doesn't shut down when the baseball season comes to an end," said team owner Dave Heller. "Modern Woodmen Park is a unique and versatile facility that can accommodate a wide variety of special events, including this haunted house that has become so popular in the Quad Cities. What better place to turn into a haunted house than a ballpark, with all of the tunnels, nooks and crannies already built in?"
This year's event is themed around Shoeless Joe Jackson, who was alleged to have died in 1951. There are those that contend, however, that he merely faked his own death to escape a life in which he was known as the villain, returning to Davenport where he fondly recalled his days of sneaking away from Chicago to enjoy Minor League Baseball at Municipal Stadium. In a confrontation with an erstwhile young reporter who caught on to the ruse, Jackson was murdered and buried in what is now the corn field at Modern Woodmen Park. Every year around the time of Jackson's October 31 death, reports surface regarding paranormal activity coming from the ballpark.
The haunted house will be open from 7:00 p.m. to Midnight every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in October in addition to November 1. Admission to the event is $10 per person, while groups of 15 or more are eligible for a special group rate of $8 per person. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Genesis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. More information, including a video trailer, is available at www.RiverBandits.com.
"Coming to the ballpark is all about having a good time, whether it's for a ballgame, a haunted house, or even a Halloween or Christmas party," said Vice President/General Manager Kirk Goodman. "Regardless of the event it is important to us to provide the best experience possible whenever a guest steps inside of Modern Woodmen Park, and hosting the biggest and best haunted house in the Quad Cities is no exception. Baseball season may be over, but we are still going to be here making sure our guests are having a great time in the fall and the winter."
The Field of Screams 2008: Shoeless Joe's Revenge is sponsored by Genesis Health System, the Quad Cities CW and YNOT Ink professional tattoos and piercings.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits have just completed one of the most successful seasons in the history of the franchise. Under new ownership and management in 2008, the River Bandits topped 207,000 fans for only the sixth time in team history and the first time in 12 years. With a renewed dedication to fans, sponsors and the Quad Cities community, the return of the River Bandits has brought a resurgence of support for the team. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale for the 2009 season and Banditwear is available all year long at Modern Woodmen Park.