Halloween Haunt sets record attendance

Over the past five years, the Rocky Ridge Halloween Haunt has grown and continues to grow from a small intimate group of trick or treaters to its present four-day, two-weekend haunt and open to the public.

In 2018 Barry and Bev Lyons opened their Rocky Ridge Halloween Haunt to four evenings over two weekends. This year saw a record 331 visitors, up from 287 last year.

The largest attendance, the final evening, drew 118 people to the Jocelyn Township farm.

"It was a haunting success and we are looking forward to scaring more next year," Barry said.

This year, also saw an increased number of volunteer actors and revenue for Matthews Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA).

Admission was by donation with 100 per cent of the funds going to MMHA. This year $1,607 was raised up from 1,520.20 last year.

Every dollar raised goes toward the continued efforts of physician recruitment and retention. 

Seasonal and permanent residents from across the Island, mainland and beyond including the Island couple have benefited from the Island's physicians at BridgeLink Medical Centre and/or the North Shore Health Network Richards Landing- Matthews Site.

A check will be presented to the MMHA board at its November meeting.

In a telephone interview, Barry Lyons attributed a number of reasons for its success.

"Weather and more advertising in print and online media outlets as well, Facebook, combined with running on Friday and Saturdays weekends lent itself," Barry said.

Extra evenings meant additional volunteers were needed and this year, 30 different people including a number of youngsters dawned various costumes scaring would-be attendees as they made their way through the converted horse barn. 

This year saw seven additional volunteers of which most were new to their role.

One of its core volunteers, Matilda, who greeted guests with her, "velcome" one-liners was unable to attend but vows to rejoin her fellow actors at the door in 2020. 

Among this year's visitors was Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha.

"I had a spooktacular time," he said returning to Toronto. "Thanks to all the organizers and the volunteers, it couldn't be done without them. I had a great time. I laughed, I yelled, I am definitely going to come back. Great goblins, fantastic ghosts, awesome set up the ambience was perfect. Congratulations to all the volunteers and MMHA, well done. See you next year."

Mantha posted some of the actors he met on his Facebook page.