SWANSEA — Robert Johnstone and his neighbor, Brian Avellar, say they've always had a penchant for spooky season. The past couple of Octobers their yards transformed into gnarly graveyards and terrifying clown covens.
Many houses sport stunning Halloween decorations , but the Johnstone’s and Avellar’s have taken it a step further, and for the second time, they’re inviting the public to take part in the thrill of walking through their homemade haunted “house” for free.
Johnstone said his daughter, Trisha Bardsley, and her husband, Kyle Bardsley, thought of the idea a couple of years ago. “This year we went a little bit bigger and beat last year's display,” Johnstone said.
A walled enclosure spans the side yards at 91 Smokerise Cir cle in Swansea, foregrounded by a cemetery scene where visitors queue in front of the door. Those daring to enter will find the space partitioned into four themed rooms with animatronics, flashing lights, ambient smoke, and on Friday and Saturday nights, seven live actors.
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All 1,000 square feet was built from the ground up in about a month at the end of September, which was also when it opened for visitors. All the tools and supplies came from Johnstone and Avellar, coupled with a donation from Hathaway Home for Funerals.
“Come enjoy it. It's a nice night for the family,” Johnstone said. Families with younger children are encouraged to walk through on Thursdays when actors have the night off, and all children are asked to be accompanied by an adult.
“There are more actors than last year,” said Trisha Bardsley, who noted that they’ve added an additional haunted hallway. Kyle Bardsley said 116 people came through last Friday night, and 136 visited the Saturday after.
“The more people that are scared, the more fun it is,” Johnstone said.
The elaborate setup does require daily maintenance, a few tweaks, and even the addition of new decorations that keeps folks coming back for more.
Visitors are welcome between 6 and 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. The biggest night is Halloween, which falls on a Thursday this year. “Last year we had between 1,200 to 1,500 people in just that one night.”
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From now until the end of the month, frights are guaranteed, and donations are welcome. Swansea Animal Shelter , joined by Forever Paws as of this year, will benefit from dog and cat food collected in a donation bin at the entrance.
Avellar and Johnstone are delighted by the support of their community, and added that any donated animatronics are welcome. “We don’t do it for any money. We just want to make it bigger and better each year,” Avellar said. His daughter, Angelica Avellar, is an actor.
A plan for next year is currently being dreamed up, with the potential for a Salem witch trials theme, a fifth room, and another hallway. Zombies might be part of the deal, too.
Kyle Bardsley, along with his son, Wyatt, and Brooklyn Johnstone, a member of the family, are looking ahead to the holiday itself. “This neighborhood is packed on Halloween,” he said. “You can barely drive down the street.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: A haunting in Swansea: Neighbors' outdoor attraction scares up some fun for a good cause
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