BACK FROM THE DEAD
Westside Cemetery to be resurrected in Sydney.
If you thought plans for another Westside Cemetery were dead, think again.
Horror enthusiast Jeff Peach is preparing to haunt visitors this October with what he says will be more screams, more scares, more blood and more fun.
After being ordered by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s bylaw office to remove the year-round display at his home in Westmount, Peach has found a new location for his creepy creations.
The outdoor event will now held in a soccer field behind the Southend Community Centre’s new location on George Street.
Peach said the pairing with Southend makes perfect sense because the centre was once home to its own Halloween events in Sydney.
“We’re going to have some sideshow freaks, clowns, and I will be in my regular character again (the Boss), and we’re going to have a few new additions to the show but I don’t want to say too much of anything,” said Peach.
Southend board treasurer Brad Fraser said due to last year’s Thanksgiving Day flood, the centre was forced to move from its Hillview Street location. The flooding also badly damaged Halloween props for their haunted walk on the Baille Ard Trail.
“Now that he’s having to relocate and we lost all of our equipment it just seemed like a logical pairing,” said Fraser. “The passion they have for what they’re doing seems to be worth the investment for us.”
Braden Miller, 18, who has volunteered with the haunt for the past two years, said he was heartbroken when he heard plans for the Westside Cemetery might be shelved this year.
“I enjoy scaring people all the time,” said Miller. “I wasn’t really good at it to begin with but Jeff brought me in and taught me how to do it and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Despite four cancellations, an estimated 1,500 people attended last year’s event.
Donations are now being sought for plywood, wooden boards and furniture, in addition to any old items such as a bathtub, toilet, bathroom sink, kitchen cabinets, stove and fridge.
Organizers are now working on ticket prices and expect the opening night of the event will be Oct. 13. Show will run from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
There will also be one show a week for kids, although Peach notes that children are allowed to attend all shows at their parents’ discretion.