It’s that time of year again and the spotlights can be seen circling the sky around the Zed Haunted House.

Intended for audiences over 10 years of age, the spook-tacular haunted house is not for the faint of heart.

With a gut-wrenching and shiver-invoking theme of ‘You’re Never Alone in the Dark’, the event is sure to frighten you while testing your fear-handling abilities.

Deemed as Central Alberta’s most ‘fatal’ attraction, the Zed Haunted House is put on as a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Red Deer and District.

Located at 7710 50 Ave. in Lions Plaza the event runs until Oct. 31st.

Tickets are $15 per person or $20 for a Spook Pass that includes preferred (fast-track) admission, exclusive photo op with characters and a Trick or Treat gift.

Even the lobby is full of fun as you hear the screams of those in the house already.

The official house web site at www.zedhauntedhouse.com explains that “As soon as you enter the front door, you will be transported into a realm of terror – a dark twisting maze through rooms populated with creatures from your worst nightmares. Your only goal will be to elude the predators who stalk you through the darkness – to be a survivor, not a victim, of the house.”

Director of the Boys and Girls Club, John Johnson and head of the Zed Haunted House, believes the success of the event for so many years is due to the incredible support from the community alongside training that he and the volunteers have received from their trips to the International Association of Haunted Attractions Convention in California.

“These are intense conferences,” said Johnson.

“Our volunteers will spend a week with the director of Terror Nights at Universal Studios and the people from Disney who are truly the best in the business and this is where they will be shown how to build props and really frighten people.”

Johnson emphasizes that the many hours of volunteer work spent putting the house together combined with their array of frightening props have really come together this year to create one of the spookiest houses the City has ever seen.

In the past, the house has seen as many as 7,200 people come through the doors per year, and Johnson hopes this year the weather will cooperate to allow them to beat their record.

“It’s a haunted attraction yes, but we do this because we have a very loyal following in Red Deer over the years, but more importantly because it is the main fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs,” said Johnson. “This fundraiser provides the dollars that are needed to put together the community-based activities for the clubs throughout the year.”

Johnson said he loves this fundraiser because it not only incorporates the youth as volunteers for the house but it also gets them working on a project with the community volunteers. In previous years the event has raised up to $80,000 and this year Johnson hopes they will clear $100,000.

Zed Haunted House reminds residents that this event is not advised for pregnant women and children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

jswan@reddeerexpress.com