(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
October 22, 2024 - 7:00 AM
Glenda Schwandt of Kelowna is an avid devotee to celebrating Halloween in all its spooky, gory energy.
When she turns on her fog machines on the front lawn, passersby just can’t help but stop in their tracks to look at all the decorations adorning her yard. Her house looks like something straight out of a scary movie.
Standing outside in the crisp air with tiny, plastic spiders crawling up her front doo , Schwandt described why she so passionately loves Halloween.
“I find that we’re disconnected in communities sometimes and this is a kind of fun way to get reconnected,” she said.
Schwandt loves bringing her community together to celebrate the day. For her, Halloween is a day of closeness, excitement and neighbourly fun. She wants everyone to enjoy the day together.
Glenda Schwandt's extravagant Halloween display
“You can express yourself in any way you want. There's no judgment and you get to meet your neighbours because it seems nowadays you don't get to meet your neighbours so much,” Schwandt said.
Neighbours who haven’t experienced Halloween before, preschool children on walks, and high schoolers all walk by to experience the thrills and chills her home in the Rutland neighbourhood provides.
(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
Schwandt said it warms her heart when she can bring delight to her neighbours and community around her.
Some of her neighbours donate their decorations to add to the setup, meaning there is a little piece of everyone in the creation.Her neighbours are happy to see their pieces at work in her display, she said, her lawn is a creation of the community.
Every year, Schwandt adds to her decoration plan and the hauntingly thrilling decor grows with gusto. She estimated she has spent around $500 on decorations and candy every Halloween for the last 13 years.
Some of her budget goes toward the batteries and zip ties needed to keep her display intact and running for the big night. Although pricey, Schwandt doesn’t mind as long as everyone who comes to her house is having fun.
Schwandt began her love for Halloween when she was in her early 20s living with roommates who loved to dress up, party and create scary Halloween fun for all to enjoy. Years later, she continues this tradition from the comfort of her home by dressing up her house from the inside out.
(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
Skulls, rotting flesh, gargoyles and fog creep across her grass, illuminated by the mystical orange, red and purple lights that cast an eerie glow on the Autumn nights.
Trick-or-treaters love her display and often stick around to examine all the small details.
(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
Schwandt’s favourite part of her display is sharing the excitement with everyone.
“The joy of Halloween, the joy of giving, the joy of the experience and maybe creeping people out, but knowing that it's coming from heart,” she said.
She's so dedicated she starts her Halloween setup in late August to ensure all the pieces are in place. Although she already has an extravagant display, she isn’t finished yet and still has more pieces to put up.
With many of her pieces, Schwandt adds to the creation to amp up the scare factor. She uses spray foam to create bumps and lumps on her walls, skulls and boiling cauldrons filled with "brain" matter. The extra texture gives a terrifying effect. Foam turns to brain and wood varnish turns to blood with Schwandt’s creative efforts.
(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
Every year Schwandt gets dressed up to match the theme of her display. This year she is going as a witch. Her makeup and costume takes about two and a half hours to put on, meaning she begins getting ready for halloween night at 1:30 p.m.
(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
All the effort Schwandt puts into the day goes back into the community. She wants to spread fearful, Halloween joy to as many people as she can. As her display grows each year with the help of the community, the bond grows tighter and creates an everlasting excitement and anticipation for Halloween night.
Because her display is so elaborate, Schwandt said coming up to her house takes immense courage, especially for the younger trick-or-treaters.
“It takes a lot of courage to come up the walkway,” Schwandt said. “Like I won't break character unless there's some major tears. They're earning their candy.”
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