Both the Halloween Haunt "Blood Shack" at Beban Park, and a haunted house on Old Victoria Rd. promise big scares for all ages, but even bigger benefits in community as a result. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

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NANAIMO — Get scared for a good cause this Halloween.

A pair of local events this weekend promise suitable scares for Halloween fans of all ages, beginning with a haunted house run by Clay Tree Society at the offices at 838 Old Victoria Rd.

Open Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday Oct. 26 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., executive director Jennifer Fowler said they’re transformed their centre into an array of scary, interactive spaces.

“It’s an old school, so it’s perfect for this type of event because it’s broken into several different sections. We’ve got rooms of terror, the bat tunnel, the circus of nightmares, the hair-raising Harry Potter and a ‘seance of the Lambs’ but there’s also kid-friendly rooms.”

A vast majority of the decorations are homemade by members of the Clay Tree Society, to transform their offices into a spooky range of rooms. (submitted photo)

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Fowler said it was very important to ensure the event was suitable for all ages and abilities to come and enjoy.

Kids rooms include a dragon alley and time with a “friendly Beetlejuice”.

Every room features live characters acting out their roles, cast through the clients, volunteers and staff of the Society.

After a smaller version two years ago, this year’s direction from Fowler and organizers was to “just scare people and have fun”.

“You walk through the bat tunnel to get in. There’s people in the actual experience who will help you find your way around. If it’s not for you, we do have a safe word and that is ‘chicken’, so you can say ‘chicken’ and get out of the haunted house.”

Entrance by donation, with the Society asking for at least $5 to help them deliver programming and supports for those living with diversabilities.

Each room at the Clay Tree Society offices on Old Victoria Rd. are setup with different themes, promising extra spooky environments for all ages and abilities. (submitted photo)

Also running Friday and Saturday, as well as on Halloween night, is a walk-through haunt at the Beban Park fairgrounds.

Doors will be open and screams-a-plenty from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. each of the three nights.

Organizer Owen Stanley told NanaimoNewsNOW their second year setting up at the VIEx barns provides the perfect backdrop.

“We’re going for more of a realistic look. The backstory is that there’s a family that needed to spend a night in this abandoned cabin on their fairgrounds and unfortunately a freak radiation leak happened while they were inside and they’ve been stuck inside this cabin ever since.”

Eleven actors will create an immersive experience for visitors brave enough to enter.

“Everything looks as real as it can get…we don’t have a restrictions however if you are too scared, ‘mercy’ is your safe word. Once you beg for mercy you’ll be let out.”

Entrance is again by donation with money collected going towards the Vancouver Island Exhibition’s efforts to rebuild their condemned barns on site.

Last year, over $5,100 was raised and Stanley said they’re hoping for between $7,000 and $8,000 this year.

Held at the Beban Park Fairgrounds, “Blood Shack” promises big scares with 11 actors creating an immersive experience. (submitted photo)

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