Summer isn't technically over, but Kings Island is already preparing for its annual scare-fest, Halloween Haunt.
The park is taking spooky suggestions on social media for ghoulish melodies to pipe through its speakers during the fall festival.
While it may not seem like a big deal, Communications Director Chad Showalter says a lot of thought goes into choosing the tunes.
"The expectation is that we're going to play Halloween-themed songs, and sometimes that's your traditional Halloween song or it might just be a song from a current artist that definitely applies to the Halloween season," Showalter says. "I think if you ask any of our guests they'll tell you that the music that's playing in the background as they experience the attractions is an important part of it and something they remember long after their visit is over."
Showalter says the park is getting all kinds of suggestions from Rob Zombie and Metallica to Frank Sinatra - "Witchcraft," of course.
"We want to make sure when we're considering songs that they're family friendly but also can be on the borderline of edgy. I think what you'll hear, and what we're hearing from our guests already, is that they prefer traditional Halloween songs all the way up to heavy metal, Halloween-themed, as well."
The park is looking to have about 50-60 songs on its playlist by the time Halloween Haunt opens Sept. 20. Kings Island recently launched its own Spotify channel so fans can get in the spirit before visiting the park.
Music is important to help set the mood and create an overall experience.
WVXU sister station WGUC debuted its Halloween night soundtrack in 1998. "Tunes From The Crypt" was created by classical host Mark Perzel and production director Bruce Ellis.
"The title was inspired by the Tales from the Crypt horror anthology on HBO or Fox from 1989 to 1996," explains WVXU Media Beat blogger John Kiesewetter.
As he reported in 2015, the pair enjoyed playing around with sound and audio tracks and had the idea to make a radio show with "scary sound effects and spooky voices."
"People love it because they now have their own soundtrack, so they don’t have to do it themselves," Perzel said. "We get a lot of 'Thanks!' People love it."
There are currently 13 variations of "Tunes From The Crypt." WGUC plays two two-hour shows each Halloween from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 90.9 FM
"People love it from coast to coast, since the two-hour shows are made available to other public radio stations," Kiesewetter says.
