SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - What’s scarier than a haunted corn maze? Add two greenhouses to that equation and you might have the answer. Organizers of the Kool Breeze Haunted Farm are gearing up to bring the scare.
“Last year was incredible. We had hundreds come through the door and we had a lot of feedback. We had some pretty interesting people come through,” said Reasha Walsh, executive director of Spotlight School of Arts, the organization that runs the event.
“We had someone split their pants. Another literally jumped out of their shoes, ran away, and never came back for them,” she said with a chuckle.
The school begin hosting a haunted farm after Lowthers Haunted Farm closed its doors two years ago. Owners of Lowthers’ donated the props used in Spotlight’s haunted location.
“We plan to bring back some of the favourites from last year’s event, but we’ve also got some new things up our sleeves.”
Unlike some haunted farms, Spotlight doesn’t provide a guided tour.
“We’ll walk them up to the door, tell them the rules and then let them take themselves along the haunted path. It’s always really fun to see what parts scare some people while other parts won’t.”
In addition to scaring people, the event acts as a fundraiser for the arts school and local community groups.
“A portion of what we make with be donated to community groups that want to help out with the farm. Last year we had the sea cadets come and scare people. So, if any community group is interested in volunteering to be part of their fundraiser they can definitely reach out.”
The two greenhouses that will be used in the haunting are themed, but Walsh wants to keep most of the frights secret until opening night.
“We’ve got creepy crawlies, chainsaws, body parts and much more,” she said with a smirk.
The haunted farm will be held at Kool Breeze Farms, 231 Read Drive, Summerside. Admission is $12. Organizers advise those under 13-years-old be accompanied by an adult.
Kool Breeze Haunted Farm runs Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 from 7 to 10 p.m., rain or shine.
For more information go to www.spotlightschoolofarts.com.
