7 Years of Screams, 7 Years of Giving Back: Screams Come True Opens This Weekend

The screams are returning to Whitehall this Friday, October 16, as Screams Come True Haunted House kicks off its seventh season of terror, thrills, and community giving. But behind the blood-curdling screams, terrifying creatures, and elaborate sets is a success story that goes far beyond Halloween.

Recognized by Travel Pulse Magazine as Montana's top haunted house destination in 2022, Screams Come True has grown from a seasonal attraction into one of Whitehall's most successful community fundraisers. Now entering its seventh year, the haunt has helped accomplish something that once seemed like a distant dream: securing a future for Whitehall's historic Star Theatre.

Operated by Gold Junction Presents (GJP), a Whitehall-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding arts and cultural opportunities in the Jefferson Valley, Screams Come True has generated funds that have helped make numerous improvements to the Star Theatre building and given GJP the opportunity to provide its community programs.

Every ticket purchased, every scream heard, and every volunteer hour donated has played a part in preserving a piece of Whitehall's history.

What makes Screams Come True truly special isn't just its ability to frighten visitors. It's what happens with the money after the screams have faded.

Unlike commercial haunted attractions, Screams Come True is an entirely volunteer-driven fundraiser. No individual pockets the profits. After the screams are over and the many storage sheds refilled with haunt supplies until next season, the funds are reinvested into Gold Junction Presents and its mission of supporting the arts, community programming, and the preservation of the Star Theatre.

Over the past seven seasons, that commitment has produced tangible results.

Haunted house proceeds have helped GJP make a down payment toward purchasing the historic Star Theatre, a landmark that has been part of downtown Whitehall since 1912. The fundraiser also paid for a new roof, protecting the century-old building from further deterioration and helping ensure that future generations can continue enjoying this important piece of local history.

Beyond these major investments, haunt revenue has supported additional building improvements, operational needs, free children's programs and movies, theatrical programming, and other opportunities designed to bring people together.

It's an extraordinary return on something as simple as a Halloween tradition: people pay to be scared, and Whitehall benefits year-round.

Perhaps the most meaningful impact of Screams Come True can't be measured in dollars.

Each fall, the Whitehall Community Center is transformed into a sprawling world of nightmares, thanks to the imagination, hard work, and dedication of dozens of volunteers. Young people and adults spend weeks constructing elaborate sets, designing terrifying characters, installing special effects, and preparing to deliver unforgettable scares.

For Whitehall's youth, the haunted house provides something increasingly valuable in a small rural community: a safe, creative, and constructive place to belong.

Participants learn practical skills in construction, painting, lighting, sound engineering, theatrical makeup, costume design, acting, and event production. They also learn teamwork, accountability, problem-solving, and the importance of following through on a commitment.

Some discover a passion for performing. Others find their talents behind the scenes, building props, operating equipment, or designing the next terrifying room. For many, Screams Come True is the largest theatrical production they will ever participate in.

And perhaps most importantly, they become part of something bigger than themselves.

With volunteers ranging from young children to senior citizens, the haunted house brings generations together in a way few other activities can. Friendships form, confidence grows, and participants take pride in knowing their hard work directly benefits their hometown.

It's not unusual to find a teenager working alongside a retiree, a parent helping a child perfect a costume, or an entire family spending their evenings building walls, painting scenery, and dreaming up new ways to make visitors scream.

The result is much more than a haunted attraction. It's a hands-on lesson in community service, creativity, and what can be accomplished when people work together.

One reason Screams Come True continues to attract visitors from throughout Montana and beyond is its commitment to changing things up.

Rather than simply reopening the same attraction year after year, the Screams Crew works to introduce new themes, characters, special effects, and unexpected surprises each season. Past attractions have featured everything from terrifying clowns and sinister creatures to immersive mazes, escape rooms, and elaborate interactive experiences. The 2026 haunt includes five new rooms, including extensive reimagining of the standard classics.

The goal is simple: keep visitors guessing, keep them screaming, and give them a reason to return.

That creativity, combined with the dedication of its volunteer cast and crew, has helped establish Screams Come True as a must-visit Halloween destination. And while visitors may come for the fear, many return because of the atmosphere, the enthusiasm of the performers, and the knowledge that their admission supports something worthwhile.

Tickets (general and VIP) are available online at screamscometruemt.com, and a specific line will be dedicated to pre-purchased tickets. It is HIGHLY recommended to purchase tickets ahead of time, as the lines are long and the wait may be a tad chilly, especially as this year's haunt starts on the MAin Street Green next to Whitehall's historic STar Theatre, then shoots down the alley to the Whitehall Community Center. However, the Screams Crew has a longstanding promise: anyone in line by 10:30 PM is guaranteed admission, even if it means the cast and crew continue frightening guests well into the early morning hours.

Seven years ago, Screams Come True set out to scare people. Today, it is helping preserve Whitehall's past while investing in its future.

So this October, come get scared for a good cause. Every scream, every ticket, and every visit helps keep the Star Theatre alive and the arts thriving in Whitehall. After all, there's nothing scary about giving back to your community.