A popular Halloween attraction in Central Alberta, the Grandview Haunted Barn, which draws thousands of visitors each year, is expanding and moving to a new venue.
The new, bigger and better, scarier event, 'Spooky Town Pigeon Lake' will debut as a weekend event for two days only on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Lakedell Ag Society.
Corey and Claudia Kozack have been organizing and hosting the haunted barn community event in their three-acre yard for the past six years with help from the Lakedell school and the Pigeon Lake Pre-School. In addition to the haunted barn, there was animatronics, inflatables and a scary forest trail on their property.
According to the Kozacks, they had 3,000 people come through the haunted barn last year.
"We thought it was getting a bit big for our yard," said Corey, adding the couple aren't getting any younger.
Now, they're partnering with all five local-area schools to put on the event: Lakedell, Pipestone, Falun, Pigeon Lake Regional School and Pigeon Lake Preschool.
The schools are all helping with different aspects of the event and will benefit from a portion of the proceeds.
Because it's a much larger undertaking, this year, the fundraising event will be held for two days although it may grow in years to come.
"We'll start with a weekend and see how it goes," said Corey.
Involving the local schools means more volunteers and and was a no-brainer for the couple, who has always supported education in the community.
"By involving the schools we can offer more and give everyone good value for their money," said Corey.
"Claudia and I always feel that to benefit the whole community, it starts with the school system."
The Kozacks hope the event will be a success and the schools will continue to carry on with the holiday attraction when they're no longer able to.
The haunted barn was started as a way to give local families something affordable they could do together for the Halloween season.
For the past couple of years they've had a minimum suggested donation of $5.
"If a family shows up and can't afford to come in, we never turn anyone away," said Corey.
While entrance to the haunted house and the grounds will still be by donation this year, there will also be wristbands on sale for unlimited access to several new attractions and activities.
There will be barrel train rides, wagon rides, an outdoor movie, carnival games, an evening Halloween-themed parade and more.
"With this we're doubling, almost tripling all the attractions and activities," said Corey.
A D.J. will provide music during a licensed dance. After 10 p.m. until midnight or 1 a.m., the dance will continue for adults only. There will also be a photo booth that will send photos to cellphones within seconds of taking them.
The expanded event will utilize the grounds, hall and the riding arena. If the weather is poor, events will be moved indoors.
There will also be an online 50/50 draw.
"Someone might get lucky and get a heck of a treat this year," said Corey.
Also new this year will be a trunk-or-treat for the kiddos in the parking lot.
Local businesses and individuals will be displaying their business wares and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters from the trunks of their cars.
While they're always had candy bags to hand out to the kids in past years, "Noe they can go trunk or treating with their buddies," said Corey.
As there will be a costume contest, dressing up is strongly encouraged, he said.
There will be several award categories for different age groups.
Oct. 18 will be the soft opening where the organizers and volunteers can work "all the bugs out," said Corey.
All activities and attractions will be "full on" for the next day, Oct. 19, he explained.
The organizers have a meeting on Monday, Sept. 30 at the Lakedell Ag Society, and after that, more details will be finalized.
For updated details in the upcoming weeks, visit them on Facebook at 'Haunted Barn at Grandview.'
"We hope all the past visitors and new visitors will come out to see us."
