The dungeons below the Sonora Community Centre will be a very scary place on Halloween night when the Town of Osoyoos holds its haunted house as part of Halloween Howl. Program Supervisor Kelly Law, shown here in a not-very-flattering portrait, said there will be several exit points along the way for youngsters to leave if they get too scared. Younger children are advised to stay in the safety of the gymnasium where a carnival is being held. (Richard McGuire photo)

The dungeons below the Sonora Community Centre will be a very scary place on Halloween night when the Town of Osoyoos holds its haunted house as part of Halloween Howl. Program Supervisor Kelly Law, shown here in a not-very-flattering portrait, said there will be several exit points along the way for youngsters to leave if they get too scared. Younger children are advised to stay in the safety of the gymnasium where a carnival is being held. (Richard McGuire photo)

The dungeons below the Sonora Community Centre will once again become a haunted house on Halloween.

The haunted house is one of the activities planned by the Town of Osoyoos as part of its annual Oct. 31 Halloween Howl.

The event also features a carnival in the gym from 4 to 9 p.m. with games and prizes for younger children.

The haunted house runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

This year’s haunted house will have several exit points so that youngsters can leave as it gets progressively more scary, said Kelly Law, program supervisor with Town of Osoyoos Community Services.

“The first (area) will be a little bit creepy, but not super scary for younger kids,” she said. “Then it kind of progresses with different options to leave as they go along.”

Unlike in recent years where there has been a theme such as mad scientists or zombies, Law said the house will have different themes at each stage.

The carnival in the gym will include a bouncy castle as well as games where children can win prizes and candy.

A pumpkin carving contest will also offer prizes. Carved pumpkins will be on display throughout the event, said Law.

Unlike previous years, children carve the pumpkins on their own, often at home, and they bring them in to be judged.

Students from the graduating class at Osoyoos Secondary School will be volunteering in the haunted house and the carnival, she said.

The Osoyoos Elks are major donors to the event, said Law.

Meanwhile, a separate Halloween event, Trick or Treat Main Street, runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at participating businesses in the Osoyoos downtown.

The Osoyoos Credit Union is sponsoring that event and information is available at trickortreatmainstreet.ca.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times