While trick or treating seems unlikely this year, an Erskine Park family has created a way to safely get into the Halloween spirit this spooky season.
Tucker’s Haunted House has a free outdoor Halloween display every night in October along with a new indoor paid attraction called ‘Phobias and Fears’.
Mark Tucker, who decorates his house every year for Christmas and Halloween said COVID made him take it up a notch.
“My wife Glenda and I started with Christmas displays 12 years ago then Halloween but this year when our business Starz Game Show stopped because clubs and pubs closed, I had more time,” Mr Tucker said.
“I love activities where families can do things together and have fun but wanted to do it in a safe way, so we designed a new indoor haunted experience.”
The ‘Phobias and Fears’ walk-through experience and simulator ride is recommended for people over 10-years-old, Mr Tucker said.
“Visitors will face their fears like giant spiders, creepy clowns, witches, snakes and flesh-eating zombies with animatronics, special effects, lighting, smoke and live actors,” he said.
“It is on Friday and Saturday nights this month with a $30 pre-booked ticket that is for up to six guests so that we can monitor numbers in each session.”
Taking a year to plan, Mr Tucker said it was a family effort to bring the attraction to life.
“We started planning straight from Halloween last year and then building things from January this year with hundreds of hours put in,” he said.
“My son is an art student and my wife is artistic, so they did decorations and signage and I have edited all the videos and other work to bring it all together.”
With COVID seeming scarier than Halloween, Mr Tucker said he hopes the community still gets involved.
“The experience is a registered COVID-Safe attraction with booking system, social distancing and our actors and volunteers all wear masks,” he said.
For more information or to book a visit to the attraction, head to www.tuckershaunt.com.au.
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.
