Olney Boys and Girls Club Disputes Field of Screams Operator’s Account and Confirms Arbitration

The Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association has publicly disputed the account its haunted-attraction operator gave for why Field of Screams will not open this year, and disclosed that the two sides are in arbitration.

Field of Screams Maryland, run by Steelhead Events and Productions, announced last week through The MoCo Show that the attraction would stay closed for 2026 and aim to reopen in 2027. OBGC responded with a statement from Executive and Athletic Director Brad Scott.

The Two Sides Do Not Agree on Why

Steelhead Events and Productions said the attraction is waiting on OBGC’s Special Exception to be amended to expressly include fundraising events on the property. The Special Exception is the zoning approval attached to OBGC’s land, so Steelhead’s explanation points at a county approval held by the club.

OBGC put the responsibility the other way. Scott wrote that OBGC leadership “is disappointed that SHP did not obtain the necessary approvals to enable the event to operate.”

Neither side has said publicly which specific approval was missing or who was obliged to secure it.

Steelhead’s director of operations, John Dixon, said the company had finished an 11-month redesign and was ready to open. Dixon said the closure will affect 320 seasonal employees and Olney businesses that benefit from the attraction’s visitors.

The Dispute Over the Money

Steelhead said Field of Screams has generated more than $3.5 million for OBGC over its run. OBGC says that number does not describe what the club actually received.

It is important for OBGC leadership to point out that the $3.5 million SHP has cited as the amount of revenue generated by the event may mislead the public’s understanding of the proceeds OBGC has received from SHP.

Scott wrote that Steelhead has operated the event for 14 years, that net proceeds to OBGC “have been declining steadily and have dropped off significantly in the last six years,” and that those proceeds “do not come close to funding our youth scholarship program.” Field of Screams itself has run for 24 years.

The Arbitration

The statement from OBGC contains information the closure announcement did not. Scott disclosed that OBGC and Steelhead are in arbitration over the agreement to operate Field of Screams on OBGC property, and said OBGC cannot comment on the specifics.

Scott wrote that OBGC “remains willing to work with all appropriate parties to move the matter forward in compliance with the applicable requirements,” and thanked Montgomery County for its efforts. Steelhead separately thanked the county attorney’s office, the Department of Permitting Services and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Permits Have Been an Issue Before

Field of Screams has run into county requirements more than once. A District Court judge issued an abatement order in 2021 after finding that OBGC had not obtained proper permits and certificates for some structures along the haunted trail, according to The MoCo Show, which reported that some attractions had the required permits while other walk-through structures did not. Neighbors have also raised concerns about traffic.

Field of Screams sat out the 2025 season for a full renovation and had planned to return this fall.

What Happens Next

Field of Screams Maryland says it intends to reopen in 2027. Whether that happens depends on the zoning amendment, and on an arbitration neither party will discuss. OBGC says enrollment in its youth programs is at record numbers and that community support matters more than ever.

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The full statement from the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association follows.

OBGC Statement Following Field of Screams 2026 Closure Announcement

Olney, Maryland – OBGC recently learned that Steelhead Events and Productions (SHP), the outsourced operator of the Field of Screams fundraising event, announced that Field of Screams will not open this year.

OBGC leadership is disappointed that SHP did not obtain the necessary approvals to enable the event to operate, and disputes the operator's financial characterizations and statements within the press release. It is important for OBGC leadership to point out that the $3.5 million SHP has cited as the amount of revenue generated by the event may mislead the public's understanding of the proceeds OBGC has received from SHP. While SHP has operated the event for 14 years, the net proceeds to OBGC have been declining steadily and have dropped off significantly in the last six years. The net proceeds do not come close to funding our youth scholarship program.

Further, the public should know that OBGC is currently involved in arbitration with SHP about the agreement to operate Field of Screams at OBGC. While we cannot comment further on the specifics, OBGC remains willing to work with all appropriate parties to move the matter forward in compliance with the applicable requirements. OBGC appreciates Montgomery County's continued efforts to work with all parties involved.

Community support of OBGC is more important than ever with record numbers of children enrolling in our programs.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support,

Brad Scott, Executive & Athletic Director, OBGC

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