“They don’t really understand how we run the park and how the park functions,” Oakley said. “I think a lot of people think we’re a small entity, a little haunted house, when we’re (actually) a very well-organized, very well-run facility.”
Land of Illusion is about more than just frightening guests, he said, adding that its 180-acre property hosts national bands, country concerts, 5K run/walks to benefit various organizations and other attractions for guests.
Land of Illusion guests are either going to spend their money there or at Kings Island’s Halloween Haunt in Mason or other “haunted” attractions in the Dayton area, Oakley said.
“Our community needs to say ‘Do we want them to spend it here or do we not want them?,’” he said.
The issue’s defeat Tuesday cancels plans to expand Sunday hours to include both September and October instead of only October, according to Oakley.
He said season pass-holders requested the option of purchasing alcohol on Sundays.
“It’s no different if you go to Applebee’s, if you go to any place out here that’s serving alcohol. People like having a drink every now and then when they’re having dinner or viewing concerts or doing whatever they’re doing,” Oakley said.
Land of Illusion representatives in May started conducting a door-to-door campaign to explain the attraction and secured 325 names to get the measure on the ballot. Oakley said he hopes that anyone who didn’t support the local option or has questions about what the attraction does for the community and the surrounding area will contact him to learn more.
Although Oakley said he is disappointed voters did not support the measure, he said he doesn’t “cry over spilt milk.”
“Everybody’s got their own reason why they vote for things,” said Oakley, who served as a volunteer firefighter in the township for 27 years. “What really kills me is that every restaurant that does serve alcohol, we’re no different than Kings Island.”
He said he is undecided on whether to return such a measure to the ballot.
Madison Twp. officials could not be reached for comment.
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