As the sun began to set Sunday night, spooks, ghouls, and all manner of ghastly terrors took to the woods at Friday Harbour as part of the Hallowalk event.
Special event manager George Chacko greeted the guests as they passed through the portal of the outside world into the haunted maze.
“It’s shocking for them.“ he said. “The jump scares, the screams, they love it.“
"Every year it gets scarier, creepier, and more intense,“ he added.
Haley Moore, communications manager for the resort, said this is its third year hosting Hallowalk.
“We are always seeking ways to celebrate and enhance each season. Halloween is a beloved fall tradition, and our nature preserve offers the ideal setting,” Moore said.
“The route remains the same as last year; we’ve refined the experience … to create a memorable experience for our guests,” she said.
“The production team transforms the nature preserve into the captivating Hallowalk experience, with planning for the next Hallowalk beginning almost immediately after the current event ends,” Moore noted.
“The physical setup begins about two weeks before the event’s opening to minimize the impact on the nature preserve,” she said.
The Hallowalk path is about 10,000 feet (3,048 metres), taking roughly 15 minutes to complete, depending on your pace. There are 10 themed exhibits, and the path is adorned with many lights, pumpkins and special surprises.
The event utilizes roughly one kilometre of the nature preserve, leaving the remaining trails open for guests and homeowners.
The themed zones feature moving parts, special effects, and motion sensors for unexpected surprises along the way. There are more than static exhibits, with costumed characters acting as “walking attractions” throughout the Hallowalk experience.
“They love interacting with and, yes, occasionally scaring (visitors),” said Moore.
Running, screaming, and almost stumbling, Yana Pach, hastily followed by her friend Teresa Gallina, exited the event. The two travelled from Richmond Hill to get a taste of the ghoulishness.
“My sister lives up here and she said you’ve got to come see this, and it was worth it," Pach said.
You can enjoy the Hallowalk this upcoming weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Get tickets online at eventbrite.ca.
