Get your fright on
Ava Puzstai, Contributor |
With Thanksgiving over, the Halloween spirit is stronger than ever as the air gets colder.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is beginning to play in cinemas. Even if the days of trick-or-treating are behind you, the city of Calgary hosts several haunted house events during the late weeks of October. These events are for people of all ages but involve special adult only nights where alcohol is sold for those who prefer their Halloween with spirits. Each event has its own unique and creepy edge that appeals to lovers of the macabre allowing them to get their spooky fix before Christmas takes over the holiday season.
ScreamFest
When? Oct. 25-27 and Oct. 30-31 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Youth nights, aged 12-17, conclude on Oct. 24.
Where? Stampede Park, parking at BMO Centre.
Cost? $30 online, or $40 at the door for general admission.
ScreamFest advertises itself as Canada’s largest Halloween event, offering multiple haunted houses, each with a unique theme. Basic admission into the park allows guests one entrance into each haunted house, including their most extreme house “Zombie Outbreak,” back by popular demand. This attraction requires guests to sign a waiver before entering rest assured, the actors will not touch or grab anyone anywhere on the grounds. ScreamFest has a total of seven haunted houses including their new “Doll House” and other classics such as “Bates Motel” and “Slaughterhouse.” Other Halloween themed attractions, such as a slingshot rollercoaster and games are present to ensure guests are never bored. ScreamFest’s “Screaming Room” features independent horror films so you can support independent artists during your visit.
Aside from general admission, there are two other options for tickets. Both options include the venue’s own currency, KillerCash, which can be used for any activities aside from the haunted houses. For an extra $10, guests will receive $16 of KillerCash along with their general admission ticket. VIP and speed passes are also available for purchase for those who wish to skip lines.
ScreamFest warns that their exhibits are quite intense and not intended for children. The entertainment of the festival revolves around being terrified and in suspense. As such, the venue and event is not wheelchair accessible and contains the use of fog and strobes to enhance the effects of horror. As a whole ScreamFest labels itself as PG-13, though anyone of all ages is welcome. The events are quite frightening to young children, so guests are asked to be cautious when bringing children under the age of 12.
Field of Screams
When? Oct.18, 19, 25 and 26 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Where? Cobbs Adventure Park – 1500 84th St. N.E.
Cost? $30 online, or $40 at the door for general admission.
Field of Screams was created by the same company (Screamworks Inc.) as ScreamFest, and is a haunted house-based event with six different themed houses. The themes this year include a simulation of being buried alive and a fence maze entitled “Death Trap.” Other attractions
include the “Mad House” and “Scary Tales” along with an actual haunted house. The attractions in Field of Screams are more story-based than those found at ScreamFest. Guests are made to feel as though they have been chosen or captured during their adventure through terror. Field of Screams has one adult night on Oct. 17th which allows for more fear and alcohol with purchase.
Though creepy, Field of Screams is unrated and more family friendly. There are no warnings regarding the age of attendants and activities designed for younger audiences are available. An adult night at the kangaroo petting zoo is open until 8 p.m. but other games such as black light mini golf, archery tag and pedal carts are open until the park closes at 10 p.m. Classic fair food is available for purchase, including a variety of food trucks and mini donuts as well as a candy store for the true Halloween experience.
Dr. Giggles House of Pain
When? Oct. 24-26 and 31 – 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Where? 201 W. Chestermere Drive, located behind the rec centre in the N.W. corner.
Cost? $30 General Admission, $25 Group Admission
A haunted house for a noble cause, Dr. Giggles House of Pain is in support of the Chestermere Food Bank and encourages its guests to consider bringing donations when they come for the creep show.
Dr. Giggles is an artistic, immersive haunted house where guests watch a short film before being plunged into the experience. Dr. Giggles is running volume four of his short film series titled “Dr. Giggles Tales of the Cryptids: Cheesy Time.” After watching this film, guests will step out of reality and into the film’s atmosphere, experiencing the horror firsthand.
When purchasing tickets online, it is important to note that Dr. Giggles does not offer returns or refunds, and the venue accepts exact cash only. Dr. Giggles’ experience is limited to 30-minute increments, with 7 p.m. being the earliest showing and 10:30 p.m. the latest. When purchasing tickets online, guests choose out of the available times on their designated day. Dr. Giggles does not express an age-limit, but is targeted towards a more mature audience given subject matter and gore.
Ava Puzstai is a Contributor for The Reflector 2024-2025.
