The story behind the Halloween House in Swift Current is one of romance for the holiday. 

For years, children in the city have been able to enjoy the spooky decorations that have lined the daunting haunt at 402 Gray Street East. 

Every year, this humble abode dawns its costume for Halloween thanks to Sandra Caron, the homeowner. She has been doing this for decades, each year enjoying the smiles on people's faces as they stop by.

The front yard is not only eye catching, it's also open for folks to approach and check out. The front yard is not only eye catching, it's also open for folks to approach and check out. 

"It's so much fun," said Caron. "That's the reason that I do it. [Kids] love it and they're always so respectful. They come every year."

The house is free to visit, and the yard is also free to enter. The yard tour and display began back during the pandemic, as a way to hand the ghoulish guests visiting their candy.

An entrance to the yard, in no small way setting the tone for the display. An entrance to the yard, in no small way setting the tone for the display. 

Sadly, it was shortly after beginning the now-yearly tradition of the backyard graveyard display that Caron's husband would pass away, in 2020.

"This has kind of been a little bit of a tribute to him every year to carry on because Halloween was his favourite," said Caron. "We decorated for everything, but Halloween was always his favourite."

Caron had been decorating even before she met her husband, but it was after meeting him that the house began to take shape, 30 years ago. 

"My husband was decorating this yard before I even met him," recalled Caron. "When a friend of mine was planning to introduce us, I asked her if he was the person who decorated his yard all the time. So that was kind of something that brought us together."

Over the years, Caron's collection has only continued to grow, now including a display that many children enjoy year after year, coming back to find what's new. Meanwhile, most adults see it and wonder how much it would cost.

A small selection of the creepy collection that has dominated the yard for Halloween. A small selection of the creepy collection that has dominated the yard for Halloween.

"I don't like to think about that," said Caron. "That's not really what it's about, and it's been something that has been accumulated over many, many, many years."

The yard itself contains various inflatables, skeletons in costume, and now a new haunted shed for brave kids to enter.

"There might be some little people that would be nervous," admitted Caron. "But there's nothing bloody or gory or horrifying in that regard. It's just some little scares and little jumps."

The entrance to the haunted shed is guarded by this enormous black cat. The entrance to the haunted shed is guarded by this enormous black cat. 

People are invited tonight to approach and explore the yard. Even for those who have grown up and had kids of their own, this revamped and more walkable display is fun to visit. 

"It's quite comical to listen to some of the kids who are in high school [when they come here]," said Caron. "They'll say things like, "Oh, I used to come here when I was young."

Even the inside of her home is decorated with the spooky and strange. Halloween decks the very halls of Caron's home, from the living room to the dining room, everything is fit for the season. 

A small haunted village in the front entry way of 402 Gray Street East. A small haunted village in the front entry way of 402 Gray Street East. 

Caron has no plans of slowing down any time soon. For years to come, she says that both the young and old are welcome to visit her during Halloween and to enjoy the sights and frights she puts out for them to enjoy. 

 

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