Haunted Ship ‘Creepy Crawl’

After nearly 30 years, the Haunted Ship finds new ways to engage the public.

DULUTH, Minn. — Every fall for nearly 30 years the William A. Irvin is transformed from a place of history to one of horror.

The Haunted Ship is a seasonal stop for many Halloween fanatics across the Midwest. Organizers said that this year, there will be even more ways for the public to join in the spooky fun.

Steve Rankila, the Irvin’s museum director, said his team works year-round to make this event memorable for all. “I think that everyone that works on the haunt, you know, it’s become an icon to Duluth’s waterfront,” Rakila said, “We get together in our meetings (thinking) how can we scare people? It gets quite weird on what we do, what we think. We go to haunting conventions and learn new techniques how to do it.”

The DECC’s communications director, Lucie Amundsen, said they hope to make additions that people can engage with; while, retaining the repeat visitors they see every year. We’re “attracting people to Duluth from Be it the Twin Cities or all these great surrounding communities. We see a lot of letter jackets from smaller towns around and we know that that’s just so great for all our vendors in the area, people who stay in hotels,” Amundsen said.

Tours for the Haunted Ship begin October 3rd, with a “Creepy Crawl” through Canal Park. The public is encouraged to join in and can receive free admission for the first day, if you’re wearing a costume.