From ghosties and ghoulies and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us.
No need to deliver anyone at DJ Carroll’s house on Halloween; the ghosties and ghoulies are precisely the reason they’re there.
This is the 10th year Carroll has transformed his home into a haunted house for Halloween. In the beginning, he started with a few decorations around the front entrance; now the haunted house encompasses the front yard, garage and foyer and live actors give guests a spine-tingling thrill.
This year’s theme is an ancient burial ground, which means the front yard of 16 Sunset Pl. is populated with skeletons and gravestones. Archaeologists will guide attendees past zombies, mummies, ghouls and goblins.
Carroll, the drama teacher at Elmira District Secondary School, puts his theatre experience to use with a fog machine, sets, lighting and sound system.
“Last year people eight or nine blocks away could hear it,” he said.
Carroll draws on a regular cast of students, former students and friends, many of whom come back every year to help out. He and his team of helpers will get a trial run this Saturday, as they stage a haunted house at EDSS for The Great Pumpkin Party.
Staging two haunted houses in the span of a week is a lot of work, he admits, but it’s all worth it. Halloween has been his favourite time of year since his own trick-or-treating days.
“This is my season,” he said. “My wife’s is Christmas – she decorates the house at Christmas. I love Christmas, but this is my season.”
On the big day, Carroll will be busy coordinating the special effects, lights and sound system, making sure everything runs smoothly. That’s not to say he doesn’t enjoy dressing up for Halloween; Carroll’s favourite Halloween costume was an orc from Lord of the Rings, complete with a suit of orc armour made by a blacksmith friend.
The creativity that goes into costumes and decorations is part of what he likes about the day; it’s also a chance for people to let their imaginations run a little bit wild.
“To me, it’s the one event or holiday that is more for the kids than any other day, even more than Christmas or Easter. Kids get to pretend and adults go along with it. It’s a day where everybody wants to be scared and scare each other in a fun way.”
The doors to the haunted house creak open at 5 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.
