THUNDER BAY - The calendar may still say summer, but it’s Halloween at the KOA Campground.
Campers got the chance to experience a Halloween atmosphere early this year, all thanks to one man.
For 10 years, Ray Landgraff has been putting together the Haunted Yard, a fundraiser for KOA’s Care Camps.
Landgraff started the Haunted Yard with only 15 pieces in a single lot, but after multiple expansions, he now has a field filled with his spooky decorations.
He says it gives him the opportunity to show his passion for the holiday, but also as an event to bring families together.
“It’s a time for kids to get together with their families,” Landgraff said.
“Nowadays you see kids on their telephones, playing their games all the time, they don’t do anything with their parents and this is one of the things that gets them all together. It’s something different,” Landgraff said.
Saturday’s events include a barbecue, costume hay ride, bouncy castles and Zorb balls, an inflatable bubble big enough to fit a person inside.
Event organizers are expecting upwards of 350 trick-or-treaters this year.
KOA president Mike Kuper says Halloween weather for Northwestern Ontario is usually on the colder side, so holding Halloween on Labour Day weekend makes it a little easier for kids to wear their costumes.
“The real Halloween everyone is going to dress in snowsuits with their costumes over top, so this weekend makes it a lot easier, the kids really love it, adults too. It’s a safe and secure environment,” Kuper added.
Camp-goers needing their Halloween fix as soon as possible, events begin on Saturday at 1 p.m. and trick-or-treating begins at 7 p.m.
