The ghosts and goblins will be coming out to haunt Halloween visitors at various haunted houses in the area.

While bars and other organizations put the finishing touches on their Halloween parties, those who like to be scared are looking forward to a trip through a haunted house.

These thrill-seekers should visit a haunted house Thursday through Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Hopkins Park Shelter House on Sycamore Road in DeKalb. Cosponsored by Kishwaukee Kiwanis, WDEK and WLBK, the house costs $4 or $3 with a coupon.

This year marks the 22nd year of the Hopkins Park haunted house.

Visitors should be prepared for their pulses to race when the lights go off because nothing will be held back.

WDEK’s Mark Summers will broadcast live Thursday from 6 to 11 p.m., and the first 92 people will receive $1 off admission.

WDEK’s Program Director Dave Bavido said proceeds from the haunted house will benefit local community projects.

Bavido said the house used to be the only haunted house in the DeKalb area.

However, another DeKalb haunted house is being sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 302 Fisk Ave.

Youth Minister Mike Burch said the lights in the house will be left on for the children on Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. However, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., the lights will go off and the terrorizing will begin.

The lights will be on Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 7 p.m. and turned off from 7 to 11:30 p.m.

The unique thing about this haunted house is it’s also collecting food for the DeKalb food pantry.

Burch said people who bring two cans of food only have to pay $1.50 to get into the house.

“We thought that collecting cans was a good way to cut cost and get food for the hungry,” he said.

Other haunted houses are located across from the courthouse in downtown Sycamore, on Route 64 in St. Charles and at Scary Park in Rochelle.