Do you consider yourself brave? A horror movie buff who thinks they are ready for anything? Are you ready to face your fears?
Who doesn’t like getting scared for a good cause? Grim Acres Scare Aware Cancer is open this year from October 25-28th. Their hours are 6:00p.m.-11:00p.m. with a no scare hour from 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Amber and Brian Sutherland, who put this haunt on every year, both had cancer affect their lives and they acknowledge that it has touched the lives of most people. They put on Grim Acres Scare Away Cancer to raise money and awareness for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Getting into the event is free, but donations are accepted at the door for the Canadian Cancer Society (don’t be a jerk, donate some money). They also accept donations of non-perishables for the Samaritan House. 100% of what is made in profits goes to the Canadian Cancer Society.
According to the Grim Acres website it will take about 5-10 minutes to get through the various haunts, depending on the group ahead of you. They have a concession which sells hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate and other items with these profits also going to the Canadian Cancer Society. The haunts are in covered areas, so they are open rain (snow) or shine. Visitors are asked not to take pictures in the haunts and to not touch the props or volunteers. There is also a haunted maze. Every year they make Grim Acres more terrifying by adding props and new twists. This year’s theme is Face Your Fears, and this place leaves you feeling haunted well after you’ve gone home.
According to the Facebook page for Grim Acres on the 26th Kickin’ Axe Throwing LTD will be at Grim Acres! Being terrified and throwing axes? Sounds great! Grim Acres also does themes for each day they are open. On the 25th the theme is Throwback Thursday, on the 26th it is Freaky Costume Day, 27th is Zombie Saturday and the 28th is Superhero Costume Day! If you plan on going to Grim Acres you are welcome to dress up in the themes.
There is also a carnEVIL area for children, with over 20 kid friendly games, open from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. each day Grim Acres is open. The carnEVIL is free to play, also by donation! Wayyyyy cheaper than those fair games kids love, and donations go to a good cause. There will also be mini golf, laser tag and a bouncy castle if the weather permits.
To get to Grim Acres: Head west out of Brandon going toward Kemnay. Turn south before the bridge at Kemnay (you know, the one semi’s constantly think they can fit under) onto road 117W (Stanley Road). Drive 4.5 miles to 52030 Stanley Road.
In the past Grim Acres has done other events to raise money for cancer. This year they did a Brave the Shave to Conquer Cancer World Record Attempt on October 6th which was held at the Roadhouse. They attempted to break the world record for the most heads shaved in one hour by one person. Quentin Derhak, a local barber, was the person in charge of the head-shaving and he needed to shave 76 heads to beat the record. There were also raffle draws, and the final amount the event raised was $18,366.68!