Lafayette, Ind. – Homestead Resources a local nonprofit has been operating Evil on Erie Haunted House for 19 years and unfortunately it will not be opening the doors for 2025 fright season. The Evil on Erie fall experience will take a pause this season and look to rebuild in 2026. The nonprofit organization rents a local facility that experienced unexpected weather damage to the building making it inoperable this year.

Marie Morse, Executive Director of Homestead Resources said, “We are disappointed that the youth and adults involved in the year-round program won’t be able to showcase their skills and talents this year. October is a month we look forward to every year. The kids involved in the program love entertaining and they beam with pride and achievement each night.”

“We have a dedicated leadership team called the Evil on Erie roundtable that has tirelessly and passionately been involved over the years. We even have multi-generational families involved in the program because they see the impact it has on hundreds of kids each year and they want to remain involved after they graduate high school. The volunteers donate thousands of service hours to make the youth development program and Evil on Erie a staple in the Lafayette community, so we are all disappointed that we can’t open this season,” said Jim Slaven, Board Chair and Evil on Erie Haunt Leader.

Throughout the last month, the Evil on Erie volunteer roundtable leaders met to assess the building damage and determined that the organization couldn’t overcome the recent challenges in time to ensure the top tier haunted experience the community expects. Therefore, the organization made the tough business decision to not open Evil on Erie this season due to unforeseen circumstances related to recent property damage sustained from weather. Evil on Erie has been a staple in this community and all proceeds from the annual Haunt have benefited Homestead Resources and its affordable housing programs and services. The real impact has been on the wonderful youth and adults that have passionately given their time and talent to be the driving force of the haunt. In the coming weeks we will be sharing more details on volunteer workdays for clean-up, engagement opportunities with Evil on Erie actors and a possible Trunk or Treat Event. We have a few things in the works!

Homestead Resources is committed to ensuring that youth are connected to leadership opportunities in the community and that they learn financial literacy along the way in a fun and engaging way. We are grateful for all the youth and adult volunteers who have provided their unwavering support to ensure a successful Haunt each year. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Evil on Erie as we take a pause for the 2025 haunt season and look to rebuild for 2026.

About Homestead Resources: Homestead Resources is a nonprofit housing counseling agency and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving northwestern Indiana including Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Warren and White counties. For over 43 years, Homestead Resources has provided housing counseling services, financial literacy and education classes, direct assistance and affordable housing support. The organization also operates as an affordable housing developer with 125 units of senior housing and manages the Community Loan Center of West Central Indiana dedicated to providing small dollar consumer loans. The organization’s objective is to help individuals and families obtain affordable housing, either homeownership or rental, and educate families on maintaining safe, quality, stable affordable housing. For more information, visit homesteadresources.org.

About Evil on Erie: A youth development program, provided by Homestead Resources, and has been operating for 19 years. Each year the youth development program engages nearly 150 youth and adults to provide enrichment activities throughout the year culminating into the Evil on Erie Haunt annually in October. All proceed from the Evil on Erie Haunt support Homestead Resources programs and services. For more information about the Evil on Erie experience visit evilonerie.com.