WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — Local haunted houses loom during the Halloween season but shed light on safety.

“We had 1,500 customers through for opening weekend,” said owner of Northern Illinois Fear Fest, Richard Barclay.

Fear Fest, which opened this month, Barclay said his mission is entertaining people.

“When they come out of the exit, I don’t care if they’re laughing or they’re crying just so long as they’ve got some expression on their face,” explained Barclay.

In South Beloit, it’s a scary time there, too. Owner Jesse Contreras opened Sound of Terror for the first time this year.

“It’s been interesting. A lot of positive reviews, people like it. We do movie scenes and set up the stages like that so you’re actually in the intense part of a movie,” shared Contreras.

What they

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