Haunted backyard to return Oct. 31

After drawing more than 800 trick-or-treaters to her haunted backyard at 1030 Scott St. last Hallowe’en, Tess Coish of Tess’ Kitchen is getting ready to supply thrills and chills again this year.
Coish said the inaugural event, which saw her yard decked out as a spooky and fun Hallowe’en maze for youngsters to explore, was a bona fide hit—with costumed ghosts and ghoulies lined up around the block to get in.

So it was only “super”-natural that she wanted to do it again for the community.
“We’re getting more people involved. It’s really a lot of fun,” Coish remarked, though admitting running the event last year with her husband, Robert, and their friends was a lot of work.
This time around, they’re getting helping hands from the likes of the Muskie boys’ hockey team, which already has been helping build the haunted backyard this past Sunday and Monday, and the Fort Frances Lakers, who have volunteered to help run it on Hallowe’en night.
Coish said she would like the younger children to come out earlier, around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, before it gets too dark or scary. The event will run until about 9 p.m.—assuming the candy reserves last that long.
“We have to set a time limit on it. Last year, we kept going and going and going, and got so tired,” she laughed.
Of course, with that many trick-or-treaters, the event needs a large supply of candy. Coish said she’s already had some local businesses and individuals donate goodies, but will need some more prior to next Saturday.
Just like with the now defunct “Scott Street Scare,” those who donate candy—either to support what’s fast becoming a community event or in lieu of giving out candy themselves—can get a sign for their window or door to notify others they already have given candy to the event.
“Last year, we were lucky that everybody was dropping off treats. We didn’t run out at all,” recalled Coish, adding she only wants candy, and not cash to buy candy.
Family & Children’s Services helped round up student volunteers to help build the haunted backyard, and also are donating glow sticks to hand out on Oct. 31.
While FACS will be distributing glow sticks to students and pre-schoolers across the district prior to Hallowe’en, some will be set aside for the haunted backyard to give out to youngsters who may not have gotten one.
Betty-Anne MacKintosh, manager of community services and quality assurance for FACS, said she fully supports community events like Coish’s haunted backyard as a safe place for children to trick-or-treat.
“We were missing the Kitwoski ‘scary trailer’ and ‘Scott Street Scare,’ those type of events where children were in a contained area and we didn’t have to be so concerned with road safety and other things,” MacKintosh noted.
“The children were all in one spot.
“It [also] was a great opportunity to get community partners out there. For example, kids got to go on the fire truck,” she added.
“I am very happy that Tess is able to do that,” MacKintosh continued. “We’re totally behind it. I think it’s a great idea.”
Everyone is encouraged to drop by, but Coish requests that they get into the spirit of the event and wear costumes.
Anyone interested in donating candy, or finding out more information, can call Coish at 274-0787 or drop by 1030 Scott St.