The skies cleared just in time for goblins of all ages as the Ghost Ridge Haunted House wrapped up another successful run at the Albion Fairgrounds on Oct. 30.
The final night of the event featured the annual fireworks display, put on by the Maple Ridge Fire Department, with the help of Marv Jones Honda and the Maple Ridge Lions Club, and will serve as a food drive for the Friends in Need Food Bank .
Heavy rain early in the day threaten to put a damper on the evening, but as the skies cleared in the evening, the crowds thankfully filled the fairgrounds, said organizer Lorraine Bates.
It’s kind of like the agricultural fair, said Bates.
“It’s so weather dependent. If it’s miserable out, people would rather curl up on their couch.”
While final numbers aren’t in, admission for Ghost Ridge was up by as much as $3,000 on the final night and she expects the three groups who hosted it – Maple Ridge Bruins Rugby Club, the Inritius Alliance Group (actors) and Maple Ridge Country Fest – will be pleased with the turnout.
All three group take home a 25 per cent share of the gate, with Ghost Ridge taking the other share. Bates said she expects the numbers to equal or exceed last year’s total of $20,000.
“It’ great news because we’ve been seeing a small decline the past few years,” said Bates. “It’s a big a job. It’s a six-week effort that takes a ton of volunteer commitment.”
Bates said as well as members of the host groups, the event relies on more than 1,000 volunteer hours from students from the school district.