Two Halloween fundraisers out for one last howl

Windsorites have one last chance to have chills sent down their spine at two Halloween-based fundraisers that are calling it quits this year. But never fear, a new haunted house is stepping in to keep scare-lovers shrieking.

Prado Place Graveyard

Rick Fauteux has been decorating his home at 983 Prado Place for Halloween for the last 29 years, but this year will be his last.

He's hanging up his costumes and calling it a haunting.

"I want to spend more time with my family. I want to be able to go to Canada's Wonderland to do the haunt there. I want to be able to do some fall camping with my kids," said Fauteux, who owns a heating and cooling business.

The passion for Halloween goes back to his childhood.

His elaborate display has grown from a few tombstones to now include moving figures, ghostly music and even a rear screen projector playing a movie in the front room window.

"I really enjoy Halloween. I've always loved Halloween. I love seeing the kids come and the reaction to some of the props," he said, standing in front of the yard full of props which takes four months to assemble.

Reaper's Gate on California

The love of Halloween has also been the motivator for John Burkoski's, Reaper's Gate haunted house at 3150 California Avenue.

But Burkoski too is getting out of the fright business after seven years — he began when his children were young.

"My daughter has a job now. My niece has a job now. They're grown up. They're teenagers," said Burkoski, adding that the tents the displays are housed in are getting old and would cost too much to replace.

Neighbours and friends will miss the displays, as will Burkoski and Fauteux, but their retirement also means a loss for a couple of local charities.

Fauteux's display has raised crucial dollars to fight breast cancer over the years. His mother is a survivor.

And Burkoski has been collecting money and canned goods for Street Help lately.

"I'm going to miss it come next year, the actual scaring of the people," said Burkoski.

Fauteux is selling off his collection and some items are already spoken for. Everything will be up from grabs on November 1.

The Haunted House on Manning

A new haunted house has popped up on Manning Road this year, on a property that's home to a collection of old automobiles. 

"We've been working on this for about six weeks," said Paul Momney, the set builder and sound design at the haunted house. "It's the first design like this spread out on the property with four attractions."

The haunted house, which also has a maze component, costs $10 admission and is open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. until Oct. 31.