Some folks just love Halloween.
When the spooky season arrives those people are liable to go all out in their yard decorations, much to the delight of others who share their passion. Yard decorations in Greater Victoria have become ever more elaborate, prompting several Facebook registries of the best decorated homes in the city.
“We just love setting up a map of the best displays and taking an evening to tour around and look at all the amazing displays that people have created,” said Kara Power. “We do this every year as a family and the displays just keep getting more amazing.”
We set out to check out some of the best displays and found that Powers’ assessment was spot on. Displays are sometimes simple but in recent years, some of the displays are so elaborate that they’ve prompted a veritable crush of people who come to tour their creations.
On Saturday evening, for example, Angella Campos’ 'Terror on Tisdale' in Metchosin had hundreds lined up down the road to explore the family’s sprawling display. Beyond just a common yard display, the decorations, live action actors and themed areas have become a perennial favourite. Donations by visitors all go to the B.C. Children’s Hospital.
And Campos isn’t alone in combining their love of the spooky season with charitable fundraising.
Debbie Briggs has created a Halloween tribute to The Wizard of Oz with a massive yard display that presents a hauntingly different twist on a favourite children’s book and movie.
"Every year we do a different theme and this year we settled on The Wizard of Oz,” said Debbie Briggs, the creator of this year’s spectacular display. “We have the scary forest, the Emerald City, flying monkeys, and even the tornado.”
Briggs said that it takes her about two weeks to set up the display after an initial two months to prepare the characters.
“We had more than 500 people through here so far this year and have raised money for the Victoria Food Bank through donations,” she said. “But in the end, it’s just a lot of fun. I love seeing the expressions on people’s faces.”
That spirit of fun is a tremendous motivator for most of the homeowners behind these elaborate displays.
In Langford, Mellissa and Len Bowers have set up their Pickford Avenue display for the second time after moving into their new home last year.
“Last year we moved in, and this was our priority. We set up our display before we even unpacked the boxes in the house,” said Mellissa. "Let’s face it, we just love Halloween."
