Submitted by: Lorri-Ann Munro

We hope you had a chance to visit the Swan Valley Communities That Care (SVCTC) 6th Anniversary Spooktober- Fest Haunted House!

It was a fabulous event, which offered a Halloween experience for all ages. Over 1575 visitors attended the Spooktober-Fest at the SV Historical Museum, running for three nights, October 26, 27 and 29, 2018. All visitors were invited to engage in our fun family friendly Halloween theme.

The Spooktober-Fest event offered a “Not So Scary”, friendly entry area for all ages with Halloween décor, games, and activities hosted by Aboriginal Headstart, Tammy Zaretsky-Denischuk (SVRSS), and many community volunteers. Everyone that took part in the games had an opportunity to win loads of candy and prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.

Face painting was again a popular activity with many children lining up to await their transformation. Maclyn Burghart, Hannalee Munro, Jessica Urban, and Madison Rausch generously donated their time to help with this activity. ACL created a pirate ship that children could board and play on along with it being a wonderful backdrop for pictures. Lots of fun and adventure was enjoyed in the “Not So Scary” area and it was great to see so many youngsters in costume.

If you were brave enough to choose the “Scary” zone you travelled outside to the Tony Gulash Building and the Octagon House. In the Gulash Building visitors began their journey by getting on the Train of Terror. The Big Woody Group spent countless hours in the Gulash Building creating a very dark tunnel of themed rooms, dead ends, and very scary characters. Many screams could be heard from that building throughout all three nights.

From there people made their way to the Octagon House. The Hair Scare Crue, a new group transformed this already creepy house into one out of a horror movie. Each night the house hosted new characters and jump scares around every corner. Many entered the back door and ran out the front door without being able to brave the whole house.

Lastly, all visitors were treated to free hot chocolate and cookies provided by the SV Coop, Service to Seniors, and Extra Foods. Of course, a Halloween treat was offered to all children and youth as well as an opportunity to enter to win a door prize donated by Star City Cinema and Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre.

Throughout all of these areas we had the SUCCEED Program and Adult Education students participation in helping to set-up and take down. We also had the Swan Valley Stampeders and Swan Valley Air Cadets help with Security and act as extra hands during the Monday night. This 2018 Spooktober-Fest Haunted House event was a smashing success.

Community Businesses and Organizations as well as community members were very generous with their support and donations. We look forward to hosting this activity again next year. We would like to thank everyone for coming out and helping to make our Spooktober-Fest such a wonderful success. Priceless hours were spent towards the organization and performing at the Haunted house event. A big Thank you to the countless volunteers that worked to make this event possible.

All proceeds from Spooktober-Fest will fund a youth initiative for SV youth.