PHOTO: The Stegers decorated their Surrey home and continue the tradition now that they live in Langley.
Dorian and Pauline Steger had their first date at a Halloween party so it’s maybe appropos that they are particularly fond of this time of year.
“She was a bumble bee in this huge costume and I was Darth Vader,” he said.
Since they are both big Boo buffs, they do up Halloween in a big way and this year have created the Haunted Graveyard.
Married 27 years, they used to do a display when they lived in Guildford, collecting for charity. They now live in Brookswood with their eight-year-old son, Tayman.
“The display is done by my wife, our son and myself. We get a bit of help from our friends and neighbours,” Dorian said. “We have all kinds of ghoulish things we set up. We have gravestones, coffins, witches, ghouls crawling out of the dirt. Guillotine and mannequins are set up throughout. As well as some zombies, living and deceased. It is quite a lot of fun and the feedback we always got was that it was grotesque.
“And awesome.”
The Stegers are collecting donations (funds or non-perishable food) for the Langley Food Bank.
The display is open to the public Oct. 24 to Halloween, noon to 9 p.m. daily. They are at 4683 204th St. (From 208th Street, turn onto 46A Avenue and head down to 204th. They are in the cul de sac at the end. Watch for their signs.)
**Go back to school
H.D. Stafford Middle School students have taken over the basement of the school for a haunted house.
It runs 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 20441 Grade Cres.
Organizers recommend kids be 10 years or older to go through and the cost is $3 for kids and $5 for adults.
Getting scared will be good for education as the proceeds will got othe Grade 8 girls basketball program and a school in Rwanda.
**Mansion of Monsters
The Brinkworth Dungeon presents the Mansion of Monsters Oct. 26 to Nov. 1.
In addition to meeting Boris, the 10-foot tarantula (look up), the 3,000 square foot mansion features scenes with monster and horror film characters.
The Mansion of Monsters is open 7 to 10 p.m. on those dates at 22260 48th Ave.
“This is our 14th haunt season anniversary, 12 of which were in Richmond and our second season now in Langley,” Barry Brinkworth said.
The cost is $9 for the public 11 and older (or $8 for people who bring a non-perishable food donation for the Langley Food Bank). Kids 10 and younger pay $6 and those five and younger are admitted free. Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
“In order to follow our fire department regulations, we allow maximum of six to 10 about every three to five minutes depending on the group,” Brinkworth explained.
Donations are also being accepted for JRfm’s Basics for Babies.
There’s street parking and the site is across the street from a mall.
Learn more at www.brinkworthdungeon.com.
Have a hoot
The Fort Langley National Historic Site’s offering an event geared to the little ones on Oct. 31.
The Halloween Hoot at the Fort with Bobs and Lolo has activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trick or treat, take in Bobs and Lolo shows at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., make crafts, check out the spooky servants’ quarters and even get an airbrushed pumpkin tattoo. Don’t forget the costumes and camera. Regular admission rates apply. Advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Hillbilly haunt
Rain or shine, people can enjoy Greg McLellan’s Haunted Swamp House.
The McLellan’s moved to Langley and continue their Halloween activities now that they have an acreage.
The public can stop by 4120 228th St. from Oct. 28 to 31, 6:30 to 10 p.m. And the Haunted Swamp House which raises funds for Ronald McDonald House, goes rain or shine.
“That’s our biggest arch enemy,” McLellan said of the rain. “The haunted house itself is actually watertight.”
The site is decorated for Halloween and the haunted house is a maze of seven or eight rooms.
“You’ll be encountering some lights, sound fog, live actors and figures,” he explained.
They moved to Langley for more land. He’s into hot rods and his wife is into horses.
McLellan works in landscape construction, his wife in real estate and horses. Most people assume there’s some connection to the entertainment industry.
McLellan said it’s just about enjoying Halloween.
“I like to build things. I sort of got into it with my kids,” he said. “People come through and they’re absolutely thrilled. It’s so rewarding.”
Admission is by donation. The family previously had their haunted house in Delta. Last year they gave $1,500 to Ronald McDonald House.
Parents must decide if it’s suitable for their kids. McLellan said some parents decide they, themselves, can’t quite handle it.
Learn more on the Facebook called Haunted Swamp House.
Student creativity
Students at R.E. Mountain Secondary are taking the lead for Halloween.
The leadership class, with help from the drama class, has a Halloween fundraiser Friday, Oct. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m.
“This event gives us as a class of senior students the opportunity to reach out to our community and involve those around us,” said student Emily Shahinzadeh
Kids can go trick or treating in the high school, do arts and crafts and see a family movie.
Admission is by donation which goes to charity.
“We chose the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” she said.
The theme is safety.
“Halloween should be enjoyed by younger children and their parents without having to worry about vulnerability,” she said.
The school has scrounged up decorations. There will be a Haunted Hallway (parents decide if their child 12 or younger can go. Kids 13 plus can decide). Parents are asked to attend with their kids.
The school is accepting donations of wrapped candy to be given out that evening. And since it’s indoors, there should be a big turnout.
“Last year we were expecting around 500 kids, and this year will be around the same, if not more,” she said.
Matey
Pirates 4 Canuck Place is at 84th Avenue and 209A Street.
The home of Derek and Tammy Condon is a pirate lair again this year. It’s open evenings during weekdays and all day weekends until Halloween and is for charity.
Costume cavalcade
Willowbrook Shopping Centre’s Trick or Treat Parade takes place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.
The cost is $2 per child up to age 12. Registration starts at 3:30 p.m. at the entrances by Sport Chek, Swimco, Tim Hortons, and Sashimi Sushi. Proceeds from the event will go to the Langley School District Foundation.
Get crafty
The Brookswood library invites young children and their caregivers to listen to a Halloween story and make a unique Halloween craft on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Scary past
Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls: A Halloween Fun Fest is at the Langley Centennial Museum Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per family.
“The theme of this family-friendly event is a vintage Halloween carnival,” said Hannah Bennett, arts and cultural programmer.
Participants can go Swamp Fishing for candy (or they might snag an old boot), create fun crafts, get their faces painted, do a scavenger hunt, and play a few carnival games.
The historic Noel Booth General Store, which is replicated inside the museum, will be selling all kinds of small spooky items as well.
Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes to the event and each child leaves with a tasty treat.
The museum is at 9135 King St. Sign up at recexpress.ca or 604-532-3536.
Wee ones
Events for kids ages one to six are at W.C. Blair Recreation Centre, 22200 Fraser Hwy., and the West Langley Hall, 9308 208th St., on Oct. 31.
There’s crafts, cooking making, stories and more. Kids must be accompanied by someone 16 or older.
The cost is $2 per child and people should sign up in advance. Call 604-533-6170 or 604-882-0408 for more information.
The Blair event is 2 to 4 p.m. while the Walnut Grove event runs 10 a.m. to noon.
City haunt
Langley City has a family event geared for kids one to five at the Douglas Recreation Centre Oct. 30 from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Admission is $3.50 for the first child and $5 for two to four children.
Sign up for Count Dracula’s Halloween Party at 604-514-2865.
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PHOTO: March Hare performs at Jubilee Hall.
Howl
The Jubilee Community Club has the Halloween Howler Oct. 31 at Jubilee Hall, 7989 Bradner Rd. The March Hare Show Band will cover songs ranging from Grease to ZZ Top. Tickets are $30 and includes a buffet style dinner. Pick them up at Wilway Lumber, 28728 Fraser Hwy. or www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2304058. Learn more at 604-856-4375.
Hockey haunt
Trick or Suite, an annual event at the Langley Events Centre, allows kids in costume to trick or treat the suites during the Langley Rivermen game Oct. 24. Game time is 6 p.m. Kids who wear their costumes get in free.
There will be a Haunted House in the banquet hall and the fourth floor will be occupied and decorated by suite holders and partners who will also be handing out candy in the first and second intermission to kids in costume.
The LEC has teamed up with Aldor Acres and Sticky’s Candy.
