It's not quite All Hallow's Eve but Delta's Family Fright Fest arrives in Ladner next week.
The free family event, now in its sixth year, takes place at the McKee Heritage House and surrounding area. The heritage building is once again being transformed into a haunted house by South Delta Secondary theatre students.
"I think this is one of the biggest classes we've ever had working on it. Everyone's really heavily invested in the process and I'm pretty excited about it," says SDSS drama teacher Paige Hansen.
There will be a Once Upon a Scary Tale theme to the haunted house this year with evil, scary fairy tale characters like Ursula, Maleficent and the Wicked Witch from Snow White.
The idea of taking what they do in the theatre out to the community is exciting for the students, Hansen says.
"I think this is our sixth year. [The students] just sense they're carrying on a tradition that they're really proud of. They're really fueled by that," she explains.
Students will lead groups through the house while students from the Delta Secondary Dance Academy will entertain those waiting in line outside.
Donations for Children's Hospital will be collected at the haunted house.
Family Fright Fest also features trick or treating at the McKee Seniors' Recreation Centre. There will be $5 meals available for purchase at the Kee Cafe. Storytelling put on by the Fraser Valley Regional Library takes place at the seniors' recreation centre as well.
In the surrounding area there will be activities and displays from the Wintemute Boys & Girls Club, Science World, B.C. Hydro, Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) and Delta Parks, Recreation & Culture.
"There's something for everybody," says Lynn Davies, a Delta recreation program coordinator.
There will also be hayrides, a bouncy castle and live music from Wired, a local band.
Davies says there could be a fire pit set up for kids to roast marshmallows, something she had set up previously for a Starry Night event at Deas Island Regional Park.
"The kids just love it," she says.
Family Fright Fest takes place, rain or shine on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Donations for the food bank will be accepted.
The haunted house is also open for tours (which are a little gorier and geared more towards teens) on Friday, Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Oct. 24 only, 47th Avenue will be closed between Arthur Drive and
51st Street from 4 to 8 p.m. For more on other municipal Halloween events and activities around Delta, including Halloween Spooktacular Swims, Halloween Skates and Costume Parties, Fimo Clay Halloween Creations at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre, Halloween at the Arts Centres and Roaming Rascals, check out www.delta.ca.
