For five years, Ryan Purdy has been sharing his devilish delight for building ghoulish Halloween displays with neighbours and passersby at his home on Runnymede Avenue in Coquitlam.
This year, he’s inviting anyone brave enough to visit his cemetery, wander through his Gallows Walk, pop into the witch’s tent and butcher shop. In fact, the latter is so creepy, Purdy said, it’s rated PG13 for only those “crazy enough” to enter.
The Halloween night display, which runs from just before dusk until 10 p.m. at 825 Runnymede Ave., is a fundraiser for Coquitlam SPCA.
Purdy told The Tri-City News he has been building scary scenes for almost 30 years but this is largest, most elaborate. It includes an 11-foot mausoleum, a bleeding altar, a life-sized rotted tree, breathing graves and a “bone mirror” that he promised will have a special surprise for those who gaze into its glass.
Purdy said planning for his display begins early in the summer, as supplies often have to be ordered from the U.S. Construction of sets and props begins in late August and, by early October, it’s beginning to take shape on his front lawn, so he can also test run his myriad electronic and optical effects.
At least, that’s the usual schedule.
Last Friday’s windstorm upended several components and even blew Purdy’s giant mausoleum over. That made for a busy weekend getting construction back on pace so he could put on a dress rehearsal for friends and neighbours on Wednesday.
Purdy said all the work is worth it come Halloween.
“I’m a grinning idiot on Halloween night because it really is my happy place,” he said.
