A haunted house in Great Falls promises spooky fun

GREAT FALLS – A haunted house in Great Falls is fueling the screams and chills for Halloween weekend, and it’s all happening in the family’s backyard. This is the second year the Horton family has hosted “The Nightmare on Ella Avenue,” and this year is sure to be another terrifying and exciting year of ghosts.

“People don’t really expect him to be when they come here. We did that last year, and this year was by far a better turnout than last year. said Kari Horton, one of the residents of the haunted house.

Shae LaVallie built the haunted house in the garage and backyard of the family home. Kari explained that the family wanted to start the free haunted experience to bring some joy to Halloween. “It really puts kids in a different mental space. I just appreciate all the support and the people who came. And like I said, give these kids a reason and something to do to help keep their minds busy when times aren’t so easy.

The family experienced the loss of the father in September and despite the grief, they still wanted to put on something that would not only make the community happy, but also the whole family.

“It’s exciting for me to be there and hear all the screaming and screaming and knowing that it’s coming from yeah, that they’re scared, but also having fun,” Kari said.

Although the haunted house is free, you can also bring a canned food donation that will go to the Great Falls Community Food Bank, as well as a cash donation that will go to the family and their niece Keona who has autism.

Kari said: “Keona is autistic and she has always loved Halloween and pumpkins and she is non-verbal. Really, it was just something for her to be able to have fun where there isn’t much fun for children with disabilities.

It’s great fun, great ghosts and a fun experience for everyone. Visit 4115 Ella Avenue to see the horrors for yourself on Saturday from 8-11 p.m., and Sunday and Monday from 7-10 p.m.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 29

• Ghouls & Goblins Fall Craft Fair at the Great Falls Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fall Halloween craft show for the whole family, sponsored by the Great Falls Farmers Market. Enjoy Trick or Treating, live radio shows, free kids activities, costume contest and more! (link)
• Halloween matinee by the Great Falls Symphony; Mansfield Theater in the Great Falls Civic Center, 11 a.m. Guaranteed to be fun for the whole family, we encourage you to dress up in costume. Listen to the scariest music ever! Family Halloween Matinee is both educational and exciting, and suitable for all ages. The concert lasts approximately one hour without intermission. Free candy will be available for candy lovers after the concert. (link)
• Halloween party for children and teens ages 3-18 and their families at the Great Falls Public Library from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Celebrate the season with crafts, games and scary stories! This event is free. Make your own costume with the supplies we provide. Brave kids 8 and up are invited to listen to Spooky Storytelling from the classic series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz in the Small Meeting Room (basement). Craft projects are suitable for children over 3 years old with the help of an adult caregiver. (link)
• thunder wheels roller skating rink at 1609 12th Avenue North from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Olaf, Poppy, Branch, Peppa Pig, Mario, Luigi, Mickey Mouse, Elsa and more will all be there! Arts and crafts table, stuffed animals and sweets on the skating rink around 2:45 (like a balloon fall) sweets at each table, lady balloon, make-up artist. All free.
• Funtastic Kids Fall Festival at 2 p.m. at Harvest Springs Community Church at 1001 36th Avenue NE. Join us for this free event suitable for all ages, come as you are or in your fall costume. There will be games, giant bouncy houses, activities, food and more! (link)
• Great Falls LGBTQ Center Trunk or Treat from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paris Gibson Square, 1400 First Avenue North. (link)
• Downtown Trick-or-Treat 3-5 p.m. Look for the flyer in the windows of participating businesses along Central Avenue, 1st Avenue North and 1st Avenue South. (link)
• • You can also get Halloween Portraits by MAD Studios Photography & VLS Photography at 525 Central Avenue from 3-5pm (details)
• Fright Fest sponsored by The Sober Life at 3220 11th Avenue South from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. FREE food and games! Costume contest for boys, girls, adults, couples and families. If you would like to bring a potluck, side dish or dessert, please contact Jacque Kost at jacquek@rehabrocky.com. (link)
• Trail of Terror from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 4800 13th Avenue South Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for students, $40 for family of 5. This event is brought to you by the Montana Sparkettes as our 18th annual fundraiser.
• Nightmare on Ella Avenue: Haunted house from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 4115 Ella Avenue. Free event. Free popcorn and hot cocoa. Donations are accepted, as well as food bank donations.
• Spooky Halloween Event at Elks Lodge at (500 1st Avenue South) from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The all-you-can-eat pasta bar starts at 5 p.m. The cost is $15. Music is provided from 7 p.m. For your dancing pleasure, there will be three separate DJs providing a varied music spread. Admission to the dance is $10 per person or $20 per couple.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 30

• Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center: The Center (4201 Giant Springs Road) will host a free community event. Free entry to the center, free spooky crafts, scavenger hunt, free treat bag for costumed kids (0-16 while supplies last) and meet Seaman, the famous canine explorer. Halloween costume contest with 3 categories: silliest, cutest and scariest.
• A special Halloween: an event at Sunrise Presbyterian Church for children who cannot cheat or treat due to disability, sensory issues, medical frailty, etc. Participants must RSVP in advance – Click here to join and for more information.
• Scouts of America: Halloween fun with pumpkin painting hosted by Venturing Crew 2041 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 820 17th Avenue South. The event is open to the public for all children, boys and girls, from 1 to 99 years old. Choose a pumpkin from our pumpkin patch and have fun using markers and paint to design your own pumpkin to take home. Prizes for the best pumpkin painting will be offered to all age groups. Immediately after the event, you can participate in the Trunk-or-treat event across the street at the Salvation Army parking lot. (link)
• Trunk or treat by Kiwanis from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army (1000 17th Avenue South). Candy will be handed out and we will also be hosting a BBQ in some of the vehicles 😊 Burgers and hot dogs will be available for purchase with proceeds going to Kiwanis. All sweets are FREE!
• Free the Ministries teams up with Hope Falls Ranch for a harvest party at Hope Falls Ranch from 3 p.m. until dark. This free event is packed with carnival games, trunk or treats, free hot chocolate and popcorn, a wagon ride and TONS OF CANDY!! It’s a free event!! We will also have all the animals to pet and love. Come see us at Hope Falls Ranch 74 Dear Lane, Vaughn 406-750-5647 for questions.
• autumn carnivalFrom 5-8 p.m., Great Falls Nazarene Church (1727 Second Avenue South) will host a free fall carnival with bouncy castles, a trunk or treat, carnival games, and chili cooking!
• Halloween partyStarting at 6:30 p.m., Central Christian Church at 1025 Central Avenue is hosting a community Halloween party with games and activities, costumes and candy for all ages.
• Nightmare on Ella Avenue: Haunted house from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 4115 Ella Avenue. Free event. Free popcorn and hot cocoa. Donations are accepted, as well as food bank donations.

MONDAY OCTOBER 31

• trick or treat in Scheels and at the Holiday Village Mall on Monday 31 October from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Free event for children 10 and under.
• Trick or Treat at the Senior Living Lodge (1801 9th Street South) – open to the public. Residents will hand out candy outside in the parking lot loop from 3-5 p.m. in costume.
• Trunk or treat – with motorcycles! – at Needle Therapy (805 Third Street NW). Free kids tattoos and hot chocolate.
• Faith Lutheran Church – fun and safe trick or treat experience – open to everyone – 6-7:30 p.m. at 1300 Ferguson Drive
• Trunk or treat/harvest party: From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Vineyard Church at 1617 6th Avenue North is hosting a free and safe trunk or treats and harvest party for the whole family! Come and enjoy free candies, games, a bouncy house and free coffee and hot chocolate.
• Nightmare on Ella Avenue: Haunted house from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 4115 Ella Avenue. Free event. Free popcorn and hot cocoa. Donations are accepted, as well as food bank donations.

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