YORKTON – What started as a COVID-19 project has blossomed into a community spectacle for Halloween enthusiast Kristin Weber-Karcha.
For the past four years, the dedicated Yorkton resident has turned her garage into a haunted house extravaganza, drawing in crowds and raising donations for a local cause.
“It all kind of started back in COVID,” said Weber-Karcha in an interview with Â鶹´«Ã½AV.ca.
“I created decorations inside my garage where they could look inside because people weren’t really doing a lot, and I thought this is something they can do outside.”
Her initial efforts were well-received, prompting her to expand each year. This Halloween, Weber-Karcha’s haunted house included a pallet maze stretching from her driveway into the garage, featuring six live actors to add to the frightful fun.
“This year I added my entire driveway,” said Weber-Karcha. Haunted house-goers navigated through the maze and were rewarded with treats upon exiting.
Setting up the haunted house was no small feat. “It’s a lot of work,” said Weber-Karcha, noting it took over two weeks and more than 100 hours to complete the setup with some help from her parents.
“The weather was good, so it was an easy choice to make it as big as I did,” said Weber-Karcha.
Weber-Karcha’s haunted house was staffed by volunteers, including dancers from her dance school as well as high school and elementary students.
“All the actors had a blast,” said Weber-Karcha.
In an effort to give back to the community, Weber-Karcha installed a QR code to collect donations for a yet-to-be-determined charity.
“We did bring in probably $400 in donations,” said Weber-Karcha, noting her desire to support the pediatric ward at the Yorkton hospital.
This Halloween, her home welcomed 1,094 trick-or-treaters, with an estimated 1,500 visitors to the haunted house.
“We had a lot of adults that came. It was for anybody that wanted to come and see it,” said Weber-Karcha.
To ensure safety, Weber-Karcha collaborated with her neighbours and the City of Yorkton Parks and Recreation Department to block off the street. “At one point there were hundreds of kids walking down the street. It was pretty cool,” said Weber-Karcha.
Looking ahead, Weber-Karcha anticipates continuing the tradition.
“I plan on doing it again next year,” she said, hopeful the weather will cooperate, “it’s not as fun when there’s snow and rain.”
For Weber-Karcha, Halloween is a passion.
“I love Halloween. Halloween is like my Christmas,” though despite her love for the spooky season, Weber-Karcha said she doesn't like to be freightened.
“The funny thing is I don’t like scary stuff … I don’t like being scared. It’s pretty ironic that I put on a haunted house,” said Weber-Karcha with a laugh.
