It’s that time of year again: the time for the ghouls and ghosts to invade the local haunts.

Area residents have the option of traveling near or far to get their Halloween scares.

The closest house is in the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club is hosting the haunted house. The house will be open Friday and Saturday. A free haunted kids exhibit will also be open 1 to 4 p.m. on both days.

Carrie Brentley, the Egyptian’s volunteer manager, said they will have the sound system playing spooky sounds and things flying at you left and right.

The 75-year old theatre is already spooky, Brentley said. With its dim lighting and rare Egyptian art deco theme, the museum already has a good dose of character, she said.

About an hour and a half farther south in Morrison is the Asylum of Mad Dreams. It has been revamped since last Halloween.

Through a public poll conducted at www.hauntedillinois.com, Asylum of Mad Dreams was named Illinois’ ultimate Halloween scare last year.

The house is 26 rooms large and takes about 25 minutes to walk through, said Mitch R. Drolema, a creator of the house.

“For anybody that likes haunted houses, it will be well worth the hour and a half drive,” he said.

A lot of time is spent on detail, and there is never an easy way out of a room, said Dave Engelkens, one of the house’s actors.

He said people get scared and confused when they cannot find an exit, such as the one that uses a freezer as an exit or another where a whole wall moves.

“Most of your haunts have a real linear feel. If you know where to go, you feel secure,” he said.

Throughout the years, Engelkens said he has learned how to hide directly in front of people. He said he likes to scare people, and that his job is a riot.

Wait times during the peak of the season can reach two hours, so a waiting room was created with concession stands and TVs playing horror movies, Drolema said.

Haunted House Times

Egyptian Theatre’s house: Friday and Saturday 7 to 11:30 p.m.

Cost: $6

Asylum of Mad Dreams: Thursdays 7 to 10 p.m., Fridays 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays 6 to 10 p.m.

Cost: $8