Scary time is coming soon to Powell River. In a town that has more than its fair share of haunts, horrors and hilarity taking place on All Hallows’ Eve, by reputation, the best heebie-jeebies are found in the terrifying hallways at Henderson Haunted House in Townsite.
According to organizer Darren Nivens, great pride is taken in frightening the bejesus out of people.
Nivens, one of three boo-masters, said when he and co-organizers Tracy Pinewski and Amber Hodgins took on creating the house, their goal was to make a haunted setting and creepy characters throughout in order to spook people into screaming.
“We don’t play around; it’s not for the squeamish,” said Nivens. “We take a lot of pride in it.”
The haunted house was started about 14 years ago by two moms to raise funds for Henderson Elementary School.
“It started with Deb Patterson and I,” said Dale Lawson, one of the original creators. “The very first one was desks piled on top of each other and there were garbage bags taped together to make these long, dark corridors and hallways.”
According to Nivens, the ghoul squad now in charge of the creepy crawlies started planning this year’s theme in May.
“Most of the actual work won’t start until September and then it’s hands-on building and creating props and gimmicks,” he said.
Nivens said they have a different theme every year and include creepy characters that leave a lasting impression. He said many people who entered the haunted house a few years ago still talk about the fright they received from one character in particular.
“People still talk about the Easter Bunny character that left a very lasting impact,” he said. “Some people won’t come back because of that.”
That was the year of the bunny. A previous year featured classic fairy tales and another honoured classic horror movies. The terrifying trio’s goal is to outdo what was done the previous year.
“This year we’re doing an amusement park, freak-show circus,” said Nivens, adding that people should watch out for the clown riding around on a unicycle.
Former Brooks Secondary School student Megan Mitchell is back this year to apply her special effects makeup skills to various characters. She spent a year of intensive studies at Vancouver Film School.
“There’s going to be animal people and the usual blood and gore,” said Mitchell, who said she loves to make monsters and creatures. “A lot of makeup artists either love the beauty or they’re full on into Halloween and the scary, spooky things.”
According to Nivens, many Powell River residents think that because the event is staged at an elementary school, it’s something for little kids, but he said it is more suitable for teenagers and adults.
Nivens said he is involved not so much to terrorize, but to leave people laughing from the horrors they survive.
“They might be scared at the end, but they’re still laughing and smiling and thanking us for doing it,” he said. “It all comes down to what their expectations are and those are high.”
