Horror goes on, thanks to us

The Keewatin Horror is getting some help from local businesses, partly thanks to an article in last month’s Town Crier.

The haunted house is produced every Hallowe’en, when organizers invite trick-or-treaters to a property on Keewatin Ave. to scare the make-up off their faces.

Last month the organizers made a plea for support from local businesses for support, because the free event, which had grown annually and attracted 300 visitors last year, was becoming prohibitively expensive.

Jeff Cooke, one of the Horror’s founders, said he was still paying off last year’s expenses.

Either the Keewatin Horror would have to start charging admission or cancel the event, he said.

The plea worked. After seeing the newspaper article, several businesses contacted the organizers and offered to help, financially or otherwise.

Keewatin Horror also was registered as a business to make it easier for potential donors.

"We have one business, Kids Costumes on Mt. Pleasant Rd., donating promotional flyers," says Cooke. "As well, we have Bugs Without Borders, who do private parties with insects, who will help out with the event if we come up with an idea that includes insects."

Broadway Cleaners and It’s My Party, a party-supply store on Danforth Ave., will also contribute.

"We wanted the money but we also figured if people could give us whatever they could that would be great," Cooke said. "I’m surprised it’s gotten the reaction it has, we know the people on our street know about it, but I never thought people would call us back. We thought we’d go out on a limb and give it a try because we’re not really experts on the fundraising thing. We weren’t anticipating this response but it’s greatly appreciated."

The event is already looking better financially for this October, says Cooke.

They thought about charging people admission but after six years it didn’t feel right to charge people for something that has always been free for them to enjoy, he says.