Cote's Haunted Yard Returns Friday With Coronavirus Safety Steps

PLAINFIELD, IL — The coronavirus pandemic may have dampened many plans this year, but a popular seasonal attraction is coming back to Plainfield. The Cote's Haunted Yard will return Friday with new attractions.

Brian Cote married Jessica — a longtime Plainfield resident — on Halloween in 2015. What started as a pre-wedding costume party in their home, soon turned into a spectacle that overflowed with imagination and creativity.

"Halloween has been a tradition in our families since we were babies and have always decorated," Brian said. "The little kids nowadays have nothing to go look at. Everything is a gore fest or scares the heck out of you, so we just decided to take our yard to another level for them and their families."

The haunt — located at 6907 Townsend Boulevard — features animatronics, lights, fog and a lot of homemade props. It also has a scavenger hunt and trick-or-treat candies for children. Due to the pandemic this year, guests have been asked to bring a marker or pen to mark off the scavenger hunt sheet. The couple will provide the printed sheets for one-time use only.

This time, the yard will also have a limited number of people — just two families — at any given time. Hand sanitizer will be provided before and after the tour.

"We would like to ask guests to wear a Halloween-themed COVID-19 or other type of mask just to get in the spirit if they can," Jessica said. "And to also practice safe distancing while/if waiting in line before they enter."

Guests can book only 15-minute time slots, by visiting here. People who do not book will be allowed inside on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is free, but donations are accepted, which are then used for the attractions.

Brian said that since they started inviting neighborhood families to walk through their haunted back yard in 2017, they've had nothing but "support and rave reviews" from the Plainfield community. Even though they had to shut down the yard earlier last year because of inclement weather, about 600 people still came through.

"This is a very kid-friendly yard. No actors. Nothing jumps out at you," he said. "Step pads or buttons can be used for an extra scare for the bigger kids."

The Cote's Haunted Yard will be open 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October, weather permitting.