Trick or Treat: The Halloween Party IS BACK!

After too long of a hiatus, Vancouver's best Halloween party is back for 2016 at the Butcher and Bullock. We couldn't find a party we loved, so we decided to host our own.

Why go to a Halloween Party when you can go to THE Halloween party!

Finding a venue that has the right feel, capacity and availability is no small task, but we will return Saturday Oct 29th 2016 at The Butcher and Bullock in downtown Vancouver.

From two of Vancouver’s most notorious hauntrepreneurs comes the wickedest Halloween Party this side of Salem. Our team of freaks, geeks and monsters are working overtime to bring you the best Halloween experience Vancouver has to offer.

Did you make an amazing costume? Are you wondering where all the most devoted ghouls and ghosts are going to be strutting their stuff this Halloween Night? If you have an unhealthy love of Jack-O-Lanterns then we are the party for you! This is no club night. This is a Halloween Party! And we do it like no one else.

Oh did I mention the costume contest? A REAL costume contest judged by industry professionals who want to be scared! So bring your best, your scariest, your most amazing costume and we will shower you with CASH, gifts, and sticky pumpkin spice glory. Win the coveted Golden Skull Trophy and some of our $1031 and over $600 in gift cards and prizes we want to reward your efforts with.

Music! Burlesque! THE BEST COSTUME CONTEST IN VANCOUVER! Also any number of acts, games and other (un)pleasant surprises along the way.


Come join your genial host Aleister Crane as we celebrate HALLOWEEN!


– A spooky and fun night full of tricks and treats with DJs playing Halloween favourites and a spooky twist of party music.

– Magic, Burlesque and other thrilling performances

– Decorations and lighting by professionals from Vancouver’s film and TV industry

– Costume contest with $1031 in cash and over $600 in gift cards and prizes

– Contests, surprises and more!

Halloween Costume 2015

Tar Beast! I could barely see, and am looking forward to modifying this costume for the next WCHC. It felt good to be scary again!

LA Haunt Tour 2015

With plans to throw Vancouver'e Best Halloween Party falling through, and a well-timed hiatus from work, I decided to cash in some travel points and go on a whirlwind tour of LA's Haunted Houses.

Tuesday
I stayed on the Queen Mary and took some of the ghost tours to learn about the "real" paranormal sightings aboard the ship. They also have a tour that is more of a theatrical haunted house style with some better-than-expected production value.
Wednesday
I headed to Tustin, CA to check out the 17th Door. A bit more disturbing than frightening, but a very enjoyable and creative haunted house.
Thursday
I checked out Knotts Scary Farms with some folks I met at the West Coast Haunters Convention. Some fun haunts, but the later we were there, the longer the lines. Really enjoyed the atmosphere there. They made the whole park very dark, and if you looked hard enough, you could buy an overpriced glass of beer.
Friday
Universal Studios Horror Nights. I tried to get there earlier, but the 20 min drive took over 2h with a traffic accident. Some short lines to begin, then they got unreasonable. The haunts were less amazing than I expected, but Universal does a good job of creative places to scare from.
Saturday
I headed back to the Queen Mary to check out Dark Harbor (pictured above). Super enjoyed the whole experience. Glad I had the VIP tickets. The haunts, while technically not as impressive, had way more heart than others I've been to, and I didn't feel as crowded with conga-line approaches. One of the guides actually let me go into a haunt alone (until I caught up to another group).

West Coast Haunters Convention 2015

I swear I took a bunch of photos, but now I can't find them. Here's Sean and I as the Phantom and Cartoony Alistair Craine.

2014 Costume: Cyber Samurai

 Sean and I. Photo from a vintage photo booth.

Unfortunately, this is the best photo of my costume I got. 

Hotel Vancouver 2014

We were "hired" to do some decorating at the Hotel Vancouver Halloween Party. Here are  the results:

2014 Haunted Attractions

Here's a list of Haunted Houses open for 2014

Potter's House of Horrors (Surrey) A Great haunt year after year. This year they have added another 3000 square feet and split their haunt into 2 different haunts: Sikness and 10,000 Screams. Expect long lines especially on weekend or close to Halloween. Get there early enough or buy the VIP tickets and hit the Bear Creek Scream Train too which is just a short drive away. Open 5-10 nightly through Halloween.

Bear Creek Scream Train (Surrey) We always get some great laughs and hear many screams from this train. Actors can and will touch you. Open October 17 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm through Halloween.

Fright Nights at Playland (Vancouver) I went a couple years ago, and while there were some good haunts, it was very overcrowded. My first experience was with obnoxious security guards that go through all your belongings with less tact as the TSA.  It might be worth it if you go on a rainy weekday, but I've found that they oversell the attraction and too many people in the haunts, and long lines wreck the fun. We arrived an hour after opening on a weekday and just barely had time to get through all the haunts without stopping to watch a show, go on a ride or eat. This year they're again selling a fast pass for $63/$79. Still the most Halloween per square meter that you'll find. Open through Nov. 1st with a few days of the week dark, so check the schedule.

Reapers (Chilliwack) Celebrating their 20'th year of fear. A great haunt that embraces darkness really well. Great scares and worth the drive. They also have a haunted maze, which had an actor who was able to startle a seasoned vet like me. They're open weekends, and  nightly from Oct 17 through Halloween. Please bring a non-perishable food item and save a dollar off your admission.

Stanley Park Ghost Train (Vancouver) a kid-friendly journey through Mother Goose's Ghastly Garden. Open nightly.

Ghost Ridge (Maple Ridge) I've never been to this haunt, so I can't speak to the quality. It's nice to see they have their website updated and some photos up. This year's theme is "If I Should Die Before I Wake." Open Oct 24th-3oth

Jordan's Haunted House (Richmond). This  home haunt is not so much a scary haunted house  as a very extensive family-friendly display. Free, but donations appreciated. Open Oct 23-31st.

Judge Dee's Chinatown Haunted House at Sun Yat-Sen Gardens (Vancouver). Not suitable for children. "Featuring over a dozen actors, dancers and musicians, this one-of-a-kind experience is inspired by the gruesome stories of Judge Dee: China's Sherlock Holmes" Open Oct 21-31st


New This Year:

Gravecouver (Metropolis, Burnaby). I'm looking forward to checking out this haunt that's popped up next to Winners at Metropolis. Open Fri and Sat and the 24th-Nov 1st.

Zombie Combat Zone (White Rock) has a new home. A fun live action paintball adventure  through a hillbilly zombie apocalypse. 

West Coast Haunter's Convention 2014

I returned once again to Portland's fantastic West Coast Hunter's Convention. For the costume ball, I put together a Psycho Surgeon. I built the surgery gun which had a rotating saw, circulating blood, and a cutting scalpel. It was hooked up to the surgery sucker on my back. Also pictured are two of my friends and winners of the costume contest, Dead Spider and Grant.

2013 Haunted Happenings

Here's a list of Haunted Houses open for 2013
Potter's House of Horrors (Surrey) A Great haunt year after year. Get there early enough or buy the VIP tickets and hit the Bear Creek Scream Train too which is just a short drive away. Open 6-10 nightly through Halloween.
Bear Creek Scream Train (Surrey) We always get some great laughs and hear many screams from this train. Actors can and will touch you. Open October 18 from 6:30pm to 10:00pm through Halloween.
Fright Nights at Playland (Vancouver) I went last year, and while there were some good haunts, it's so overcrowded that one's experience is limited. My first experience was with obnoxious security guards that go through all your belongings with as much tact as the TSA and poked a dirty ungloved finger into the container I keep some pills in. It might be worth it if you go on a rainy weekday, but I've found that they oversell the attraction and too many people in the haunts, and long lines wreck the fun. We arrived an hour after opening on a weekday and just barely had time to get through all the haunts without stopping to watch a show, go on a ride or eat. This year they're selling a fast pass for $60/$70. Still the most Halloween per square meter that you'll find. Open Weds-Sunday through Nov. 2nd.
Dunbar Haunted House (Vancouver) Always a wonderfully decorated haunt with some clever scares. Their third year at a new location and an intriguing theme. One of the fullest and best themed and decorated haunts around and each year they up the scare factor too. Proceeds to charity. Open daily through Halloween.
Reapers (Chilliwack) A great haunt that embraces darkness really well. Great scares and worth the drive. They also have a haunted maze, which had an actor who was able to startle a seasoned vet like me. They're open nightly from Oct 18 through Halloween.
Island Haunt (Nanaimo) If you're on the Island, check it out and let me know! Oct 18th-19th, 25th-31st

Stanley Park Ghost Train (Vancouver) a kid-friendly journey through the monsters of film. Open nightly through Nov 2nd.
Ghost Ridge (Maple Ridge) While thier site is not updated from last year, their facbook page says they're open from Oct 23-30.

Home Haunts
Jordan's Haunted House (Richmond). Not so much a haunt as a very extensive family-friendly display. Free, but donations appreciated. Open Oct 23-31st.

Delta Haunted House (You Guessed it, Delta).  I dont' know too much about this haunt, but the photo looks good.

New This Year

Judge Dee's Chinatown Haunted House at Sun Yat-Sen Gardens (Vancouver). Not suitable for children. transform the Classical Chinese Garden into a terrifying Haunted House. Featuring over a dozen actors, dancers and musicians, this one-of-a-kind experience is inspired by the gruesome stories of Judge Dee: China’s Sherlock Holmes. Open Oct 24-31st
Monstars and Beasts (North Vancouver) Says it's a haunted house, but seems more like an art installation Worth checking out I'm sure though. Oct 26-31st.
The Oubliettes of Dreams (Vancouver). If it's anything like the House of Fairy bad things that this group put on a couple years ago, expect an amalgamation of haunted house and performance art. Dare to enter the twisted and dangerous inner world of a circus madman. Oct 19th and 26th.

Not Open this year is Surrey's Barnyard Phantoms which was unable to open because of some newly developed structural concerns. 

Trick or Treat: The Halloween Party

Our first attempt at throwing a Halloween Party was a great success. We all had a great time and raised money for Children's Hostpital.   Our Facebook page and website are here for your viewing pleasure. Check out more photos on the Facebook page.  Hopefully we'll be able to do this again.

West Coast Haunters Convention 2013

A trip to Portland for the West Coast Haunters Convention.  I put together my idea for a Canadian stereotype: the zombie lumberjack. Originally I was planning on wielding the chainsaw,  but thought it would be more fun if it were through me. Due to time and physics restraints I had to settle for not having the chainsaw running (I tried). Also pictured from our excursion to Voodoo Donuts is Angie (Dead Spider):  the costume contest winning zombie waitress,  Grant: the zombie Mountie,  and Sean: Alistair Craine. 

Arbutus Club

I got  hired to put on a haunted house at the Arbutus Club.  It was to be zombie themed and contained in 3 inflatable rooms. I decided to turn it into an overrun army mobile lab.  We didn't have a lot of time or money to work with,  but what we might have lacked in decoration,  I think we made up for in scares. Apologies for the flash photos.

Halloween in August 2012

Our set for 2012 was going to be a crypt.  When we found out that the rest of the haunt had a bit of a backwoods hillbilly theme we added an element. This was no ordinary crypt,  this was a crypt being used to cure sausages. And these were no ordinary sausages...

Abracadaver 2012

Sean and I once again decorated the stage for Abracadaver.  I even managed to make it on stage only to be electrocuted and then melted with acid.

Halloween 2012 at The Waldorf

Halloween night,  a Wednesday if I recal. Checked out the Waldorf for the first and possibly last time.  The only part I liked was the $14 drinks served in coconuts.  My costume for the evening was an escaped mental patient. Anyone who takes issue with a negative portrayal of mental health issues may pull the stick from their rectum: it's Halloween!  Anyway,  straight jacket with one arm free,  sweatpants and slippers. We had to leave the Waldorf though when they refused to play The Monster Mash,  believing incorrectly that the French version was way better.

Halloween 2012

This year I didn't have the time I had last year to work on a costume so I needed something quick.  I've had the idea for a smoldering fireman for a while (just never been sure if it's in bad taste or not). This year we were going to the party at SinCity so I figured the fireman costume would work within their loose fetish theme,  and be comfortable to wear.  My twist was that I was going to be smoking. With a rented $1600 battery powered fog machine strapped to my waist,  and another smaller one run up through my helmet,  I was good to go... Until they both stopped working before I even got into the club.  Alas.  Didn't get any good photos either.

2012 Haunted Houses

Here's my list of 2012's haunted Houses. If you have one to add, please contact me.

Open Now

Potter's House of Horrors (Surrey) A Great haunt year after year.  Get there early enough or buy the VIP tickets and hit the Bear Creek Scream Train too which is just a short drive away
Bear Creek Scream Train (Surrey) We always get some great laughs and hear many screams from this train. Actors can and will touch you.
Fright Nights at Playland (Vancouver) I've not been back since a bad experience. It might be worth it if you go on a rainy weekday, but I've found that they oversell the attraction and too many people in the haunts, and long lines wreck the fun. Still the most Halloween per square meter that you'll find. We're going to give it another try this year and I'll report back.
Dunbar Haunted House (Vancouver) Always a wonderfully decorated haunt with some clever scares. Their second year at a new location and an intriguing theme. Not the scariest haunt, but one of the fullest and best themed and decorated. Proceeds to charity.
Reapers (Chilliwack) A great haunt that embraces darkness really well. Great scares.

Opening Soon
The Haunted Barn (Surry) It's back! After a limited run last year, the Haunted Barn is back and all that pent-up fright will be unleashed to scare you senseless.
Jordan's Haunted House (Richmond). I got to see his handmade hearse at Fright Fest this year, and if the attention to detail in that prop is any indication, you're in for a pretty good show here. Free, but donations appreciated.
Haunted Highschool (Vancouver) Normal Highschool can be pretty scary. Add zombies and it gets even better. Proceeds to Make a Wish Foundation
Island Haunt (Nanaimo) If you're on the Island, check it out and let me know!
Blackrose Cemetery (Vancouver) I know very little about this haunt, if anyone has more info, please let me know.
Ghost Ridge (Maple Ridge) I've still not heard much about this haunt, or been, please send me your reviews

West Coast Haunter's Convention

 

http://westcoasthaunters.homestead.com/

The new and original ghostbusters

The winning costumes

The West Coast Haunter's Convention was June 1st-3rd in Portland Oregon. I had a great time at the costume ball, and attending the seminars. Just being around so many people who love Halloween was excellent. I brought out the steampunk ghostbuster costume again (fixed the smoking barrel and remembered to add the green glow to the chamber). While I didn't win the costume constest, I have no problems losing to the couple who won with their fabulous vampire count and countess costumes My full photo gallery is public on Facebook HERE.

Sean and I on CBC Early Edition

Sean and I were invited to come and talk about our costumes and Halloween on the Early Edition, Early on Halloween morning. You can listen to the interview here (skip to 0:31:00)

2011 Costume: Steampunk Ghostbuster

Front

Back

This year's costume reused (with several modifications) the backpack from my steampunk Frankenstein Monster costume. I took a month off from work to build the ray gun, and enlisted my friend to do some circuit building and arduino programming. The backpack smoked, there was a nixie tube countdown, a custom mixed audio track, the gears turned, the green on the side of the gun is a plasma disk, and it shot a rotating laserbeam. The barrel was supposed to Gatling around some green cathodes, but something went wrong with the 800+ volts that went to them. I hope to post a video of the thing in action one day. Oh, and I grew the facial hair for the costume.