Duane Hicks
With Oct. 31 fast approaching, people have been asking Tess and Robert Coish whether they will be putting on the “Backyard Haunt” again this year.
The answer is “Yes.”
“We don’t want to disappoint the kids,” Coish said last week.
While she warned the weather may affect details of the event, it will happen nonetheless.
“The thing is, if the weather is not really good, we’ll have something inside and give away candy,” she reasoned.
The event has drawn groups of little ghosts and goblins to her haunted backyard at 1030 Scott St. for the past four Hallowe’ens, and the Coishes want to keep the tradition alive.
In the past, the couple has decked out their yard as a spooky but fun Hallowe’en maze for youngsters to explore.
The event attracted more than 700 children in 2008, 900 in 2009, and more than 1,000 the last two years.
Coish said more details about the event will be announced in the near future, but hinted she already has dreamed up some ideas.
“This year I have a theme,” she chuckled. “I have started collecting stuff that I would need, too.
“I’ve got stuff all over the backyard, so I am preparing for it.”
Individuals or businesses once again will be urged to donate store-bought and wrapped candy for the event.
Those who donate candy—either to support what’s become a community event or in lieu of giving out candy themselves—will get a sign for their window or door to notify others that they already have given candy to the event.
But because Coish doesn’t want the treats too far ahead of Oct. 31, she is asking people to wait until she gives the go-ahead before dropping off candy.
