By Jordy Acevedo
Halloween fans saw Circus Circus Las Vegas’ Fright Dome at the Adventuredome Theme Park close this year but new festivities take over the season.
The notorious dome created by “Hauntrepreneur” Jason Egan has been a home for Halloween fanatics since Sept. 30, 2003 and continued to shock fans till its closing in 2018.
Neither Egan Productions nor Circus Circus gave reason for Fright Dome’s unexpected closing.
Ashlee Cordray, director of operations and creative director for Egan Productions, said, “Circus Circus has informed Egan Productions that it will not move forward with Fright Dome for 2018. While we regret this bad news, we are grateful to the people of Las Vegas for supporting Fright Dome over the past 15 years. We look forward to many successful Halloween events in the future.”
Deanna Lynn Irby, College of Southern Nevada student, said in regards to the statement, “I can’t believe Circus Circus would ruin such a tradition. I would have family and friends go there every Halloween and I don’t think they’ve even heard the news yet. Being such a huge Halloween fan myself, I am disappointed and beyond sad about this entire situation.”
“I would have never expected that place to close since it was always packed when I would go a few years back,” said Michael Jackson, a student attending CSN. “I am genuinely shocked about this and I feel like the place could have lived on so much longer.”
Although Fright Dome ended, Egan Productions in collaboration with Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. started a new thrill-seeking experience called “The Official ‘SAW’ Escape Room.” It is modeled after the horror film franchise “Saw.” The room opened Jan. 26, 2018 in preparation for this Halloween season. The escape room is located on Industrial Road near Circus Circus but not in Adventuredome itself.
The Escape Room is an immersive, multi-room experience that brings players together in an elaborate game, according to the website. “By working together to combat their fears, venture far out of their comfort zones and solve intricate puzzles, guests will have the opportunity to win their freedom as they traverse the twists and turns of an entire factory of Jigsaw’s games—one of the largest escape experiences in the world.”
Students at CSN plan to enjoy Halloween in many ways. Some will attend the SAW Escape Room while others will enjoy other activities.
Julio Colmenares, a CSN student, said, “I really like Halloween. I watch old horror movies all the time. It’s honestly my favorite holiday that I look forward to each year.”
“I love Halloween and I’m so excited for October to come around,” Irby said. “I have an entire Halloween tradition every year where I host a little gathering at my house and everyone has to dress up. I like to do themes sometimes too. My theme this year is nostalgic horror movies.”
Jackson is a fan of the season too. “It’s one of my favorite holidays ever and I celebrate it the entire month of October. I especially love doing Halloween makeup and things like that.”
Some festivities this year for students to enjoy include: Bonnie Screams at Bonnie Springs Ranch, Asylum-Hotel Fear Haunted House on Meadows Lane, Vegas Fright Nights at Opportunity Village and Rock of Horror at the Fremont Street Experience, to name a few. The SAW Escape Room is located at 2121 Industrial Road, Suite 101. General admission ticket costs $49.99. Click this link for more information https://sawescaperoom.com/.
Coyote Student News at the College of Southern Nevada 