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.

Halloween Weekend Haunts

I've been so busy with getting my costume done, I'm only now getting to this. Apologies.


Here's what haunts are open this weekend:
 
Barclay Monor- Probably not the greatest haunted house, but it's in a creepy old house -Vancouver
Barnyard Phantoms-Almost didn't open this year, but you can't keep a good haunter down. -Surrey
Burbaby Huanted Village - I've never been to this, but it's a neat place. Certainly more kid oriented -Burnaby
Ghost Ridge -I've not heard much about this haunt, or been, please send me your reviews -Maple Ridge
Haunted Power House- A sweet venue, and I know they put a lot of effort into this -Mission
House of Fairy Bad Things - More of an walkthrough of art than a traditional haunted house
Jordan's Haunted House- I'm not sure why this is the first I'm hearing of this, looks like a great home haunt -Richmond
Terror on Tatlow- Cool looking facade and makeup, I'd love to hear more about this home haunt -North Vancouver

See my posting below for other Haunts that have been open for a while already.

Did I miss a haunt? Let me know!

2011 Haunts Open Now

Many Vancouver area haunts will be open the weekend of Halloween, but there are some open already for your screaming pleasure.

Potter's House of Horrors-A Great haunt with a new facade this year.  Plan your night right and hit the Bear Creek Scream Train too which is just a short drive away (Surrey)
Bear Creek Scream Train -We always get some great laughs and hear many screams from this train. Actors can and will touch you. (Surrey)
Fright Nights at Playland. -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. (Vancouver)
Dunbar Haunted House Always a wonderfully decorated haunt with some clever scares. Their first year at a new location which should open up some new possibilities. Proceeds to charity. (Vancouver)
Reapers - A great haunt that embraces darkness really well. Great scares. (Chilliwack)

2011 Shopping Guide

Looking for Halloween decorations or costumes? Here are a few places to check out. I am not affiliated or sponsored by these places in any way. Purposly not adding links, but a quick web search should get you there.


Spirit Store: (Burnaby/Vancouver/North Vancouver) A large store with some cool props and lots of costumes. 
The Party Bazaar/Flying Witch: (Vancouver and Langley) Overpriced, but a good selection of costumes.
Party Packagers: (North Vancouver) I've not checked them out, but I got thier flyer in the Mail.
Thomas FX: (North Vancouver) Some things are overpriced, other prices are fair. They have a lot of unique items. Many items year-round. Lots of fun to go and visit.
New York Novelties: (Main and Broadway): Some goofy stuff, some scary stuff.
Dressew: (Downtown Vancouver) Masks, Wigs, costume accessories. Few decorations. Good prices on fabric to make your own costumes. They have lots of stuff year-round too.
Homesense: Lots of reasonably priced decor and kitchen items. Some props and costumes.
Value Village: Mainly costumes and accessories, but they have some decorations.
More Madness Costumes: (Fraser St.): They rent and sell costumes and accessories.
HollyNorth: (Burnaby) Mainly theatrical makeup (bloods). They also rent gear and have great supplies like nicotine spray and snot tape.
Micahel's Crafts: They put their stuff out early, and transform to x-mas before Halloween. Some neat decorations, but nothing unique this year
Carols Costume Corner: (North Vancouver) Mainly sales and renatls of costumes and accessories. 






Any more suggestions? Please post a comment.

Captain Hammer

I had to work the day before Halloween at work so I needed something I could work in so I put together this Captain Hammer costume. My co-worker went as Dr. Horrible and we kept up a pun-filled animosity the whole morning.

2010 Halloween Costume: Jambi

I was surprised how many people didn't recognise Jambi from Pee Wee's Playhouse. This costume was certainly not an easy one to wear. I made it a bit too large in retrospect. I had both complaints and compliments on the dancefloor. I did my makeup differently the first night out, and I went as "Zombie Jambi." I found out my costume made a great drink holder too!

Window Display at Main and Broadway

 I have created a window display for In-Touch Massage in the Lee Building at Main and Broadway. The space was donated by Cuppa Joe's Coffee who owns the currently vacant shop. The display is an entry for the Business Improvement Organization's Halloween Window Contest. I'm going to try and get some more photos during the day, and with a polarizer to get rid of some of the window reflections. Check it out if you're nearby, there are a few little details that will never show up on camera.

Ghosts in the Hood

I was passed on the link to a show in Port Moody: GHOSTS IN THE HOOD! True tales of BC ghosts - a SPOOOOKY dramatic reading!   I love ghost stories and would like to be able to go but will be working. If anyone goes, please tell me about it.  It's on Friday Oct. 29th.