Haunted Garage 'Scares' Up Funds for Schools, Organizations

Every October a home on Mack becomes a haunted house the Great Pumpkin would envy.

Ghosts, goblins, aliens and more comprise a haunted house created by Glen Williams' that is geared toward children and families, and is also a fundraiser for local schools and organizations. 

Williams, a teacher at Maire Elementary School, came up with the idea in 2007 to help others after his Halloween parties started getting "bigger and bigger."

The following year was the start of the haunted house for Maire, and "the kids really enjoyed it and turned into a family event."

From that year it began to grow and the haunted house, which is known as "Haunted Garage Productions," now includes Williams' house, and his parent's home, on Mack between Lexington Road and Colonial Court.
 
Williams said he begins work on the displays and haunted house in July in preparation for the three weekends of fundraisers.

Starting in early October, the haunted house opens nightly on the weekend for a different group with a staff of 20 providing the frights, fun and show for attendees.

And because it is geared toward children, special consideration is made for little children who may not be looking for an overly scary encounter as they travel through the nearly 30 minute tour through the house and yard. Children can get a blinking light that will inform performers of the special request. 
"That has really been effective," he said.

But Williams doesn't do it alone, and credits the success to his parents along with friends and colleagues including Dawn, Andy and Zach Magnuson; Bob Zaranek; Suzanne Bantien and Bernadette Hardin "who really believe in what we are doing."

For more information, visit http://hauntedgarageproductions.org/