Haunted Forest trying to scare up volunteers

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This article was published 08/08/2024 (636 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Halloween is still almost three months away, but Lucky Break Ranch and Tack south of Rivers is already hard at work trying to make its annual Haunted Forest charity fundraiser bigger and better than ever.

The event was started by sisters Kim, Jody, Nikki and Dawn Richardson in 2022, aiming to fill the void after the Grim Acres Scare Away Cancer event organizers made the difficult decision to end operations.

Like Grim Acres, the Haunted Forest’s proceeds also go toward the Canadian Cancer Society.

However, a portion will also be directed to the graduating class at Rivers Collegiate and visitors are asked to bring food donations to fill a coffin for the Riverdale Food Bank.

Speaking to the Sun on Wednesday, Kim said they’re looking for at least 25 volunteers to work each day over the four days the Haunted Forest runs from Oct. 24-27. So far, they have just a handful of volunteers.

“There’s a bunch of different things that … they can do, whether they want to be a scare actor, help with the carnival, help with planning, setup, whatever,” she said.

Even though the weather wasn’t pleasant for last year’s edition with snow having already fallen, Kim said the turnout was surprisingly good.

It might have helped that a concession booth served warming hot chocolate, chili, hotdogs and popcorn. There will also be fire pits set up to help stave off the chill.

Last year, the trail through the Haunted Forest, complete with actors, set pieces and props, was 1.2 kilometres long. This year, Kim said the goal is to extend it by another 500 metres.

Even though it is a forest, Kim said the trail is wide and packed down pretty well and should allow wheelchairs and strollers to get around even if it is a little bumpy.

For those who aren’t into getting scared but want to take in the scenery, between 4:30 and 7 p.m. is blocked off as “no scare hours,” with 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. delivering the full spooky experience. However, those who come during the scare hours can carry a glow stick to signal to actors that they don’t want to be spooked.

“The no-scare is definitely aimed at the kids because we want everyone to be involved,” Kim said. “As far as the forest at night, it’s no holds barred. We’ve had grown men drop their knees screaming. We hope to do it again this year.”

Sending people into a terror is the part of the event Kim said she enjoys the best. When they hear people screaming bloody murder, they know they’ve done their job. Despite that, she isn’t one of the people doing the scaring.

“I’ll be honest, I get scared to go in the forest at night,” she said. “Leave that to the volunteers.”

Beyond the trail, there will be a carnival, a pumpkin patch, face-painting, a movie showing and raffles for those who attend. Kim said she also would like to bring in a bouncy castle if possible.

To help put on the events, the organizers are also looking for sponsors. Organizations and people who sponsor the event get a tombstone placed in their honour in the Haunted Forest’s graveyard. The bigger the sponsorship, the fancier the grave and tombstone.

Tickets will be priced the same as they were last year: $8 for adults, $5 for kids and $20 for families. However, people who bring a food donation will get free entry and a ticket for a raffle draw.

Kim said that while they’ve had big shoes to fill taking over from Grim Acres, they’re honoured to carry on the legacy. A couple of days ago, she said one of the Grim Acres operators dropped off some props for use in the Haunted Forest.

“It’s been a blast,” she said. “We just love Halloween, and it’s for a great cause. I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who hasn’t been touched by cancer one way or another.”

Those looking to volunteer can either call or text Kim at 360-322-7710 or Jody at 306-670-1032. Email can be sent to Lucky Break at luckybreakranchandtack@gmail.com.

More information can also be found on the ranch’s Facebook page, the Haunted Forest’s Facebook page or luckybreakequine.com.

The ranch is located roughly halfway between Rivers and Alexander on Provincial Road 250 and is accessed off of Mayne Road.

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