Take a tour through the fright-filled farmhouse with Advocate reporter Lexi Freehill
ATHABASCA – Depending on age, Halloween can mean a variety of things — it can mean free candy, a reason to cut loose, or a chance to decorate a house with witches and skeletons.
For one Athabasca County family, it’s a time to take the last option to the max. Michelle Davis-Zaft and her husband Wayne Zaft turn their property, just off Range Road 213, into a frightful experience.
“We used to just do it for our kids when they were in high school, but we opened it to the public in 2020 since we couldn’t have parties anymore,” said Davis-Zaft. “We’ve been doing it ever since. We set it up the first weekend of October, and then I spend the next three weeks decorating.”
The haunted house ran for three nights this year, Oct. 27 to 29, and included a “scare-free” night for families with young children. Davis-Zaft said the inspiration for the project is “all her.”
“I watched a YouTube video, and I told (my husband) that I wanted to make some panels for a haunted house,” she said. “I was hooked after that.”
The festivities take place inside the Zaft family home — the month-long project sees the family live above the chaos while Davis-Zaft puts on the finishing touches.
“Maybe one year it’ll be inside of a nice big shop instead of my house,” said Davis-Zaft with a laugh. “We have no plans on stopping it anytime soon.”
Donations
The event attracts upwards of 300 people a night, and the Zaft’s soon realized they would need some help. The Colinton Fire Department stepped up and has organized drivers for the last two years.
“(The Zaft family) does a wonderful thing,” said Dean Haaf, a member of the Colinton Fire Department. “It’s a community event, the kids love it, and it’s a chance for us to go help out. We had a blast doing it last year … the community has done a lot to support us, and this is a way that we can support them in return.”
While the haunted house was free, visitors were encouraged to bring foodstuffs, and cash donations. The money goes to the fire department, and the food goes to the Boyle Food Bank.
“We started accepting cash donations last year, it’s for a good cause,” said Davis-Zaft. “The partnership has worked out really good, we each get something from it for sure.”
