The cozy south Windsor neighbourhood near Oakwood Park is set for the final weekend of the Reaper's Gate haunted backyard maze.
A non-perishable food or monetary donation gets you into the elaborate home maze found at 3150 California Ave. between Grand Marais Rd. W and Cabana Rd. W.
Homeowner John Burkoski and his family having been putting on the event in their backyard for six years now along with the help of friends Dan and Cindy Theriault.
"We just like the idea of creating something to scare people," says Burkoski.
He says the backyard maze actually started inside when a Halloween home tour proved to be a bit too popular and attracted about 200 people.
"It was supposed to be just my son and my daughter's class and my son's football team, but as word spread more people wanted to go through," says Burkoski. "We had to expand, so we moved outside."
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The backyard maze begins at the side entrance near the home's garage and takes you through a tunnel of spider webs before a coffin is revealed in the clearing. What follows is a series of rooms including a demon inspired take on Santa Claus, a twisted clown carnival and a horrific asylum — as well as plenty of jump scares.
The sheer number of animated props and equipment needed to create the maze requires some help from the neighbours. Burkoski says his neighbours help out with parking and allow him to tap into their power to make sure there's enough electricity for everything.
It seems every inch of space has been taken by witches and every other Halloween monster imaginable.
"I'm sure we can squeeze a few more feet in there, but for now we've covered everything," says Burkoski. "People are amazed at how big it is."
Burkoski says the backyard maze has grown more popular each year and enjoys surprising people.
"[We get] a lot of amazement," say Burkoski. "They don't expect it to be as elaborate as it is. We have spent a lot of time doing it. A lot of laughs, a lot of screams and we've had a lot of crying from some of the younger ones."
Burkoski says the event helps support Windsor homeless centre Street Help. Last year 40 boxes of canned goods were donated and through two weekends this year, 29 boxes have been collected. He's hoping this last weekend can put them over the top to beat last year's collection.
The setup takes about a month and a lot of planning.
"We're already working on next year's ideas," says Burkoski. "I won't share yet, because it changes ever year."
Reaper's Gate is open to visitors both Saturday and Sunday nights.
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
The 6th edition of Reaper's Gate Haunted Backyard Maze is put on at 3150 California Ave. in Windsor in support of Street Help. Photo taken October 21, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
