10 Haunted Maryland Funfairs With Unsettling Legends

Maryland, the land of crab feasts and maritime lore, is also home to some thrillingly eerie funfairs. Each spot is a labyrinth of chilling tales, promising goosebumps and a hefty dose of curiosity.

Buckle up for a journey through shadowy carnival grounds where reality intertwines with the supernatural.

1. Pine Hollow Fairgrounds

Pine Hollow Fairgrounds
© Westcoaster

Have you ever felt the hair on your neck prickle for no reason? At Pine Hollow Fairgrounds, the mystery is palpable. Locals whisper about faint glows emanating from the old livestock barns. After sundown, shadowy figures allegedly wander the area, their presence more felt than seen.

A night-time visit here isn’t for the faint-hearted. The barns, now silent, seem to hold onto sounds of their bustling past. Visitors have reported strange noises echoing through the night, as if the fair is still alive in another realm.

Curious souls often brave the grounds, armed with flashlights and a sense of adventure. Each step crunches on gravel and echoes eerily, heightening the suspense. Legend has it the spirits of past fairgoers linger, eternally seeking the thrill they once knew. What do you say to a night at Pine Hollow? Bring a friend—and maybe an extra flashlight!

2. Riverside Amusements

Riverside Amusements
© Lizzie Borden House

Riverside Amusements holds a peculiar charm. Picture a Ferris wheel that spins unaided, choosing windless nights for its ghostly rotations. Onlookers swear it pauses the moment eyes are upon it, as if shy under human gaze.

The stories began years ago when the fair closed, leaving behind rusted rides and memories. Visitors now seek out the Ferris wheel, hoping to catch a glimpse of its enigmatic dance. Silence envelops the grounds, broken only by whispers of nostalgia.

Locals suggest the wheel turns in response to unseen forces, perhaps spirits reliving fairground delights. This tale has turned Riverside Amusements into an intriguing mystery, drawing both skeptics and believers. If you’re drawn to the uncanny, Riverside’s Ferris wheel might just be your next curious stop.

3. Maple Creek Carnival Park

Maple Creek Carnival Park
© ParentMap

Imagine wandering through a carnival, only to hear laughter where no laughter should be. Maple Creek Carnival Park is known for such unsettling experiences. The sound seems to drift from a collapsed funhouse, long abandoned and overgrown.

Visitors initially dismiss the laughter as imagination. But when multiple people hear it, curiosity turns to intrigue. The park, once alive with joy, now holds onto echoes of its lively past, refusing to let go.

The funhouse, with its eerie facade, stands as a testament to time, shrouded in mystery. It’s said that the laughter belongs to children who once reveled in its halls. This legend has made Maple Creek a peculiar attraction, perfect for those who find charm in the unexplained.

4. North Point Jubilee Grounds

North Point Jubilee Grounds
© Yelp

Ever seen windows fog up from the inside on a hot summer’s day? At North Point Jubilee Grounds, the ticket booths do just that, leaving locals baffled. The fog appears mysteriously, raising eyebrows and sparking tales of the unknown.

These booths, once bustling with fairgoers, now stand silent. The fog serves as a chilling reminder of a bustling past, where excitement was palpable in the air. Visitors often stare through the glass, hoping to catch a glimpse of bygone eras.

The mystery continues to allure, drawing curious souls to the grounds. Some claim the fog is a signal from spirits inside, still manning their posts. If you’re seeking a tale to ponder, North Point offers a curious spectacle.

5. Bayview Traveling Show Yard

Bayview Traveling Show Yard
© Reddit

Have you ever seen a carousel move on its own? At Bayview Traveling Show Yard, the carousel horses are said to shift positions between visits. This odd occurrence has piqued the interest of many, turning the yard into a hotspot for ghost hunters.

Former staff whisper about the horses’ uncanny movements, as if they desire to ride again. The once vibrant show yard, now silent, holds onto an inexplicable energy that intrigues visitors.

Whether it’s a trick of the light or something more, the shifting horses capture the imagination. Bayview’s carousel continues to spin tales, luring those eager to uncover its secrets. For an encounter with the strange, this is the place to be.

6. Red Lantern Fair Lot

Red Lantern Fair Lot
© Hobart and Beyond

A flickering crimson glow among dismantled game stalls seems like the stuff of horror films, yet that’s the story at Red Lantern Fair Lot. Despite the complete absence of wiring, the eerie light persists, puzzling all who dare to investigate.

The lot, once a hub of excitement, has become a chilling tableau of forgotten games and eerie luminescence. Those brave enough to explore often find themselves questioning reality, drawn by the inexplicable glow.

Legend suggests the light is a remnant of the fair’s vibrant past, a ghostly echo that refuses to fade. Red Lantern’s mysterious hue has captivated thrill-seekers, making it a must-visit for anyone captivated by the supernatural. Are you up for the challenge?

7. Sparrow Run Midway

Sparrow Run Midway
© The Scare Factor

Picture this: the clang of metal prizes echoing through a silent fairground. Sparrow Run Midway offers this spine-tingling experience long after the crowds have gone home.

The midway, once alive with chatter and laughter, now holds onto these sounds, creating an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and eerie. Visitors report hearing the clatter of prizes, as if the games are still being played.

This uncanny phenomenon has sparked tales of spectral players, unable to leave their beloved games. Sparrow Run Midway’s haunting echoes have transformed it into a strangely enchanting destination. For those drawn to oddities, it promises a story like no other.

8. Cedar Bluff Carnival Field

Cedar Bluff Carnival Field
© Craiyon

What if you walked by an empty field one day and found tents the next morning, only for them to vanish again by dawn? Cedar Bluff Carnival Field presents this bizarre mystery, intriguing locals and visitors alike.

The phenomenon has sparked legends of a ghostly carnival that appears and disappears, leaving behind no trace of its existence. Those who have witnessed the tents swear by their tales, adding to the field’s enigmatic allure.

For those fascinated by the uncanny, Cedar Bluff offers a chance to witness one of the oddest spectacles. The story of the vanishing tents continues to captivate, making it a surreal stop on any ghost hunter’s map.

9. Fletcher’s Crossing Funfair

Fletcher’s Crossing Funfair
© YouTube

Imagine a stormy night punctuated by bursts of organ music from an abandoned speaker system. This eerie scenario unfolds at Fletcher’s Crossing Funfair, a place where sound defies logic.

The speakers, long silent since the fair’s closure, spring to life during storms, filling the air with haunting melodies. Locals speak of the music as if it were a ghostly DJ spinning tunes from another era.

This phenomenon has made Fletcher’s Crossing a point of curiosity for those intrigued by the bizarre. Whether a trick of the elements or something more, the mysterious music continues to enchant and baffle all who visit.

10. Barlow Shore Fair Park

Barlow Shore Fair Park
© Blooloop

Every morning, footprints are discovered circling an empty cotton-candy stand at Barlow Shore Fair Park. The footprints never lead anywhere, adding to the park’s mystique and sparking imaginations.

Visitors often wonder about the origins of these ghostly prints. Some say they’re left by spectral fairgoers, eternally roaming the grounds in search of sweet treats.

Barlow Shore’s mysterious footprints have fascinated those drawn to the unexplained. It’s a tale that invites speculation and wonder, providing a curious story for anyone eager to explore the peculiar. Fancy a visit? Don’t forget to follow the footprints!

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