Christine Whelan FEO, October 12, 2023, VOL. 5 ISSUE 3
A Collaboration of Friends and Family Bring Spooky Fun To Fort Erie
Step under the clown face threshold and through the trees for a haunted walk this Halloween.
Starting Friday the 13th and for three weekends, finishing off Halloween night at midnight, I dare you to take a walk of the unexpected, that is the Bannister Halloween Mansion
I came across the Bannister driveway last year, the evening the walk first opened. It turned out to be a highlight of my Halloween. Since it was too late to get it in the paper last year, I told them I’d be back for Halloween, 2023.
When I connected with the initial family this year, they remembered our conversation and invited me during a weekend at the beginning of the month, while they were setting up.
The crew had already been working on the multi-animatronic haunted walk for weeks by the time I arrived at the break in the woods that is their driveway entrance.
With no one — living, that is — in sight, I walked slowly up the long driveway. Every few steps…
Well, I won’t spoil it.
I will tell you, after the threshold, you will be met by a creepy, sad clown holding a red balloon, telling his tale of woes and selling balloons for $.10.
He’s not the only clown you might come across. Are you afraid of clowns? How about spiders? Better bring a friend to hold your hand.
After passing several screaming, growling, and cackling depictions of this time of year, I came across a few members of the living world and was directed to the backyard, which was not a part of things last year and I immediately discovered the walk had greatly expanded.
There, I watched as Sherri, one of the original creators for this Halloween walk, worked with the display, “Harvester of Souls”, setting it in alignment. It took me a while, as suspected, to stop hearing the words in my head, “Look at me.”
How it Started
This Halloween decoration and display tradition started at 178 Bertie Road, for several years and it just kept growing annually. It became well-known in the community that surrounds the address, with children and their parents returning each year with the expectations of special treats and spooky entertainment.
Last year, Brad of 178 Bertie spoke with a friend of his, Rob Bannister of 1131 Bertie Road, wondering if they could take their spooky show to his home, with its long driveway, and large lawn, all surrounded by woods.
Growth
Last year was a test, running three days, to see if people would be interested in the walk they put together. When they received the wonderful response, they all decided this year to add the donations component.
It has become a collaboration of friends and family, gathering and planning, committed to work for weeks leading up to the Friday the 13th opening.
Collectively the walk sounds like a yard of zombies in a large room with walls of trees but as you walk by each one, separately, they provide their own show.
The Bannister haunted walk is a combination of the living and animatronics, mixed with characters from the screen like Beetlejuice and Regan. You might even imagine you’re on Elm Street or in a nightmare before Christmas.
Kid-friendly?
The Bannister crew have been questioned more than once. Is it kid-friendly?
Not really.
But they have carved out a little corner. Veering to the left after the long driveway takes the guests to Kiddieland for the younger ones. This is a kid-friendly area.
To further help the younger kids enjoy this Halloween experience without getting too much experience, the kids — and let’s face it, some adults — can choose the option of carrying around a glowstick. This will signal the participants along the walk to take it easy, to not give too much of the Halloween experience.
Each date begins at 5:00 pm, before dark, which would ease the fright factor as well.
Other than that, parents, you know your own child’s tolerance. You be the judge.
The walk will be open October 13-14, October 20-21, October 27-31; 5:00-10:00 pm until the 30th; midnight for the 31st.
You will find the entrance at 1131 Bertie Street, Fort Erie, across from the Canadian Niagara Power building.
Non-perishables and cash donations are very welcome and will be donated to local food banks such as COPE.
And now, I have left the best for you to experience for yourself. Do enjoy.
Happy Halloween!
Photo provided by Christine Whelan
