      Alert. Heart racing. Palms sweaty. Surrounded by darkness, you can feel something watching you; waiting. You feel your muscles tighten in anticipation of a spook jumping out to scare you.
As your eyes adjust to the light you wonder… was that something moving or was it just your mind playing a trick on you… as you question what you saw, you realize what you thought was a statue has moved and you let out a shriek of terror.
           Many people love to be scared and Hallowe’en is an opportune time for this experience, especially when numerous communities in the area host fun, but terrifying haunted houses.
           To make the rounds this year, you should make a few - sure to be - terrifying stops.
Alida
           The Alida Haunted Rink is returning for its 17th year and is finally back in the rink where it all started following needed construction after a flooding event.
           It will be open Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Oct 27-28, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 29, the Fun Fair will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with games, treats, and a costume parade. A beer garden will be open Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28.
           Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for those 12-years-old and younger.
Heward
           The Heward Haunted Rink is returning for its 13th year of spooks.
           It is set to operate Friday to Sunday, Oct. 27-29. The Friday and Saturday events will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and are Rated R for scary; while the Sunday event is being held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is Rated G.
           The kitchen and bar will be open Oct. 27-28, while the kitchen only will be open on Oct. 29.
           Admission is $10 for anyone 13-years or older, while the cost is $5 for those 12-years and under. (Minors under 18-years must be accompanied by a guardian on Oct. 27-28.)
           The Heward Rec Board plans to use the funds to continue upgrades to the rink as well as to go towards operational costs.
Wawota
           The second annual Wawota Haunted Hotel is here for two nights and will be held Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21.
           The adult version (15-years and older, unless accompanied by an adult) is set for 8 p.m. to midnight both days. Cost is $10 per person – and minors will be required to remain in particular section of the bar as they wait for their turn to go through the Haunted Hotel.
           The kids version is set for Saturday, Oct. 21, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $5 per child and the accompanying adult is given free admission. The bar will be serving a kids meal that evening as well.
           Money raised will be going towards the Wawota Rink and a small portion of the proceeds will be given to Movember.
