LANTZVILLE — A passion project for one mid-Island teen hasn’t been abated after having to move his outdoor haunted experience out of Nanaimo.
Graham Reimer, 18, is in his fourth year hosting a Yard Haunt, an interactive walkthrough Halloween display, this time taking place at his grandparents’ house at 7482 Andrea Cres. in Lantzville, on Friday, Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Reimer, now a Vancouver Island University student while still working at Landmark Cinemas at Woodgrove Centre, said he spent between $12-13,000 on his setup, complete with spooky scenery, over thirty animatronics, and costumed actors.
“I’m in the theatre diploma program at VIU, and it kind of brings the two sides together because I can do the technical side of the theatre program and the acting side of the theatre program, and that sort of aligns with both the actors in my haunted yard and the technical side of the haunted yard. It’s just so much fun, I love doing it.”
Reimer said he puts between 60 and 80 hours of work into his Halloween set-up every year, setting up the majority of the display himself. (Image Credit: Submitted/Graham Reimer)
He said it was a bit challenging this year, having to remap his entire set-up from his former Nanaimo location to his grandparents’ home in Lantzville, with new additions including more fog machines, a jumping clown, and structural improvements.
Entry is by donation, with Reimer investing all the proceeds right back into the Yard Haunt
Reimer said the best time for parents to bring their little ones is between 3-5 p.m. when the sun is still up, and there’s less chance of a jump scare.
“Then from 5-10 p.m., when it’s in the darker hours, it’s going to be scarier. There will be some more actors out there, that kind of stuff, and that’s both Friday and Saturday.”
He said it only takes about five minutes or so to complete the 100-yard Yard Haunt, and costumes are encouraged for visitors, but not required.
Entry is by donation, with Reimer investing all the proceeds right back into the Yard Haunt
More information on Reimer’s Yard Haunt can be found on Instagram: @gram.reapers_haunt.
A Nanaimo haunted house on Tulsa Rd. is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day up to and including Halloween.
Submitted/Graham Reimer
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