Cougar Creek House of Horrors returns for its 24th year
The Halloween attraction features haunted houses and other spooky activities
Cougar Creek House of Horrors in Surrey has been spooking locals every October since 2001. (Submitted/James Timmins)
While it usually looks like an innocent place for people to buy gardening supplies during most of the year, the Cougar Creek Garden Centre transforms into something terrifying for the month of October.
The Cougar Creek House of Horrors has been terrorizing the Surrey community since 2001 with its spooky programming. Equipped with haunted houses, nightly attractions, including a coffin ride, and other activities, the house of horrors has served as a hub for Halloween festivities less than a five-minute walk from Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Surrey campus.
Starting off as a community-based haunted house with volunteer actors, the Cougar Creek House of Horrors now employs numerous actors, makeup artists, and other event staff.
Visitors of the house of horrors can check out five haunted houses, including a new addition.
“New this year is our haunted house called ‘Abomination,’” wrote Chris Pershick, managing director of the house of horrors and garden centre. “Picture a rural adventure… except with blood. Inspiration comes from many horror movies including Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
Besides haunted houses, festivities also include nightly stage shows featuring various performers.
“You can expect some Halloween-themed songs, comedy, dance, and maybe even a little bit of haunted magic. Acts are rotated constantly so it’s always something new,” Pershick wrote.
“Dandy of the Dead is our feature stage performer. Dandy has been performing for many years around Vancouver and is a beloved personality. Songs, dances, jokes… Dandy brings some wonderful levity to our terrifying event.”
The house of horrors also features a “fan favourite” coffin ride.
“Patrons climb inside the coffin and they get to experience what it’s like to be buried alive… and then the wolves come, and it all gets a little nuts,” Pershick wrote.
The destination’s programming is also geared towards a variety of ages.
“You can expect to cry, scream, laugh, cry again, and then scream some more!” Pershick wrote. “The average age of our patrons is 25 to 30 years old. If you think our haunted house is for small children, you have definitely never been to our attraction.”
A “toned-down” version of the event, called Horrors Jr, is offered on most weekends and is recommended for children aged 13 and under. The show at night is open to all ages but aimed towards the 18 to 35-year-old demographic, Pershick wrote.
The Cougar Creek House of Horrors also aims to help the community by partnering with the Surrey Food Bank to collect as much packaged food as possible.
“Last year was very successful and we’re hoping to donate even more food this year. It goes without saying that the Surrey Food Bank is an incredibly important institution for the people of Surrey, and we’re proud to have been associated with them for many years at this event,” Pershick wrote.
The Cougar Creek House of Horrors will run between Oct. 4 and Nov. 2 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Tickets start at $39.99 and can be purchased online.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.cougarcreekhouseofhorrors.com.
