By Julia Kalinina
Halloween starts in August for Vancouvers Scott Lee.
Every fall for the past five years, Lee has been creating a haunted house on his East Vancouver property. This year, his theme is Zombie High School.
At the end of the summer, I start dreaming up the concept. In September, we create the animatronics we have about 10 to 20 and in October, thats when the building begins, says Lee.
The entrance to Mackenzie High is a graveyard scattered with bones and unidentified body parts, waiting for people of all ages to haunt it for Halloween. Past the entrance, attendees walk through the haunted principals office and the locker area, into science and math class (complete with spinning-head animatronics), and then enter into a gruesome cafeteria animated by a Monster Mash dance with real actors.
Beware zombies popping out, says Lee. Sometimes you wont know what is real and what is a dummy.
Over the years, Lees haunted house has raised hell and $6,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity that grants wishes for children with life-threatening conditions. More and more people attend every year.
A team of about 10 returning volunteers, many of whom work alongside Lee in Vancouvers film industry as set designers, help every year in creating the haunted house and a group of about 10 actors will be haunting Mackenzie High over the weekend.
Lee designs the house for all ages but for those who get too scared, there is an escape route.
But usually, says Lee, people go in screaming and come out laughing.
Zombie High School welcomes visitors Oct. 26 to 28 and again on Oct. 31 from 6 to 9:30pm at 3166 E. 16th Ave. (between Rupert and Renfrew).
