From mere mortals to masters of fear

Halloween night fun isn’t just for the kids. Every October 31, Châteauguay residents of all ages have been challenged to create their community’s most extravagant haunted house.  Le Soleil met a few people who are passionate about celebrating this holiday.

The creative type

Spiro Katerelos, who lives on Verdi, believes that Halloween gives him an opportunity to develop his creativity. For the past few weeks his front yard has been inhabited by a variety of characters in funny and frightening poses.  

“Halloween is fun because you don’t have to [place decorations] in a straight manner, you can put [them] crooked. If something breaks, you use it. It’s more fun that way.”

The teacher enjoys transforming the decorations to make more complex scenes. To fix a plastic skeleton that wouldn’t stand up anymore, Mr. Katerelos attached it to a lit gravestone. It looks like the walking dead rising up from its resting place.

This year, Mr. Katerelos began decorating on September 15. He says he works on his design with his two sons for two to three hours per day. In 2019, he won the prize for Châteauguay’s best staging. He admits that he hopes to win again this year, but it’s not what drives him.  

“When I’m decorating, I see the look on kids’ faces, how happy they are. It makes me happy, too,” he says.

He says about 300 little monsters visited his house last year. He’d like to surpass that number this Halloween.

A family affair

Simon Gagnon, who lives on Morin Street, has loved horror films ever since he was a child. This year, with the help of his family, he is preparing a haunted house filled with characters from scary movies. Upon entering his garage, disguised mannequins come to life with sound, light and movement as you pass them by. There’s Sam, from Trick ’r Treat, Michael Myers and Pennywise, among others.

“I like seeing people’s reactions, the adults and the kids, if they’re getting scared or laughing, enjoying it. I wish it was more than one day!” he says.

Mr. Gagnon's mother sewed Sam’s costume. (Photo : Le Soleil de Châteauguay - Denis Germain)

His mother sewed Sam’s costume. His father helped him build a wooden coffin with a smoke machine. His spouse Ashley Smith and their kids also take part in putting the event together.

The family wanted to give the neighbours a chance to join in the fun. “It’s for the community,” indicated Ms. Smith. “I think a lot of folks have had a hard time with COVID.”

The group is also raising money for the SPCA Roussillon. They’re asking people to bring products for animals when they visit the haunted house.

To the community, with love

Since retiring three years ago, Audrey Ménard has gone back to decorating her home on Mountain Street for Halloween. Her garden is now covered with numerous monsters and ghosts of all shapes and colours. It is Ms. Ménard herself who makes each piece with the help of her family.

The decorating sessions have even become meeting points. “The whole family has fun. My children, my grandchildren, my sisters,” she explains. “They come here, they help me, they chat a little. Neighbours, too. Everyone comes by.”

Last year, she won the jury’s top prize for best haunted house in Châteauguay.

Although Ms. Ménard also decorates for Christmas and Easter, she says nothing compares to October 31st.

“Even Christmas isn’t like Halloween. At Christmas, you spend most of your time with family, you don't meet with neighbours,” she says. “This is something that comes from the heart for the kids. It’s all for the kids.”

She also collects non-perishable goods for the Châteauguay Food Bank. She asks anyone who can, to bring a donation when they visit her home on October 31st.

Audrey Ménard makes each piece and decorates with her daughter Mia. (Photo : Érick Ouellet)

Haunted house competition

On Sunday, October 31, judges will choose the best haunted houses in Châteauguay. Prizes will be awarded in the Best Decorations and Best Staging categories. A map with the participating residences is available on the City’s website.