SCarowinds: A Haunting Legacy in the Carolinas
Ashlyn Pecchio
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The Carolinas' much-anticipated Halloween event, SCarowinds, returns on select nights from September 15 through October 29 this season. As the event enters its 23rd season this fall, it carries a rich history of spooky delights.
Journey Into Darkness: Origins of SCarowinds
Before SCarowinds' inception, Carowinds welcomed autumn with various festivals and modest special events. However, 1993 marked a transformative year when Paramount Parks took the reins of Carowinds. This change in stewardship heralded a new era of immersive theming and grand events, elevating the guest experience.
In 2000, Carowinds unveiled SCarowinds. Early promotions vividly described it as a “haunted theme park” and showcased an animated, fiery pumpkin graphic. Park officials gauged the Carolinas' appetite for a comprehensive Halloween event this inaugural season. Top Halloween event planners nationwide were tapped to shape SCarowinds' debut offerings.
That year, the now-iconic bloody “S” integrated into the Carowinds logo was introduced. Several park zones hosted the festivities, primarily featuring outdoor haunted mazes. Nearly 100 scare actors haunted the midway, marking the beginnings of many spine-tingling traditions. Iconic attractions included Superstition, House of Darkness, and Southern Night-Mares. Even beloved rides got a haunted makeover—including pirate taunts atop the "SCarolina" Sternwheeler and chainsaw threats on the log flume.
Evolving Terrors: The Cedar Fair Era
Following SCarowinds' debut success, the event expanded in scope and popularity. Cedar Fair’s 2006 acquisition of Carowinds brought fresh insights, partly influenced by the company's triumph with Knott’s Scary Farm, located at Knott’s Berry Farm in California.
For a brief period, the event was branded as SCarowinds Halloween Haunt, mirroring names used at Cedar Fair's other parks. However, SCarowinds, as a standalone title, resonated deeply with guests and thus was retained.
Today’s Thrills and Chills
Now, SCarowinds stands proudly as one of Carowinds’ premier seasonal events. An army of scare actors dubbed the “terror team” is at the heart of the horror, delivering pulse-quickening experiences. This season’s lineup boasts five haunted mazes, six scare zones, live shows, and themed food and beverage selections to deepen the immersive Halloween experience.
For the ultimate in-haunting value, consider Carowinds’ 2024 Gold Pass. Includes unlimited Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark visits, free parking, exclusive discounts, and entry to seasonal events like SCarowinds and WinterFest for this year and the next.