Moose Jaw's Most Spooktacular Halloween Home
Ten year old Luke Hrechka has once again outdone himself this year
Plague Doctor - Luke Hrechka, dressed as a plague doctor, holds a lantern greeting visitors to his creation. Hrechka blended in well ending up scaring dozens when out of the shadows he suddenly sprang to life - MJ Independent photo
Photos/Videos and Story By Robert Thomas
If there was a place that took you back to the Middle Ages and the spooktacular nature that is Halloween it had to be on the 1600 block of 11th Avenue NW as Luke Hrechka’s front yard graveyard and haunted house drew in hundreds to take a look.
When it came to Halloween last night this was likely the house to stop at and simply say out loud “Wow”. Hrechka’s birthday present to his neighbourhood and Moose Jaw can simply be described as overwhelming.
“Why did I do this? It is because I was born in October and I really liked Halloween,” Hrechka says about his creation that has taken over half a decade to reach what was on display on Monday evening.
True Identity - Luke Hrechka removes his plague doctor mask to reveal his true identity underneath - MJ Independent photo
Hrechka said he did not do it on his own but his father Ryan joined in to help on the multi-year creation which seemingly pushes the limits of imagination.
“Then my dad started to help me and created this whole theme I guess. We took some ideas and made it.”
He said his creation is a multi-year effort going back at least five years.
“We keep adding more and more each year,” he said.
A view across the front yard graveyard - MJ Independent photo
Not only was the yard full of some of the most elaborate decorations in Moose Jaw but the video show projected on the garage doors was well worth the watch.
Skeltons dance, sing and play music as part of an elaborate video show - MJ Independent photo
We filmed a portion of the performance. The video is below.
Asked if he preferred to work on his Halloween creation or to go Trick or Treating with his friends Hrechka said he preferred to work on and be part of his elaborate creation.
“I like to do this. I haven’t gone trick or treating for this will be my fourth year,” the ten year old grade five student said.
He said his friends have not seen his creation that much but “they think it is pretty cool sometimes but they live a little bit away so they don’t really see it.”
The lane way Trick or Treaters had to walk up to get their candy - MJ Independent
Dressed as a plague doctor this year Hrechka said he scared at least 30 people as he suddenly sprang to life from his mannequin form.
“Lots of people thought I was a prop and an animatronic.”
He said that he had one animatronic this year as the other one had a power supply burn out.
“Hopefully that doesn’t happen to the night crawler.”
“Welcome” Minerva says to the children coming for treats - MJ Independent photo
Hrechka’s mother who true to character gave her name as Miranda and along with two helpers sported costumes which could be described right out of the classic black and white horror movie genre.
Asked if she thought the growing neighbourhood show is
“I just show up looking like this. It is all up to Luke and my husband (Ryan),” she said.
It is more than showing up though because as the children come up for candy she is true to character. Often one child is selected for whatever additional horrors lie inside the house.
But of course it is all in fun and in the spirit of Halloween.
Minerva and helpers in true character preparing to pass out candy - MJ Independent photo
Asked about Christmas and if they decorate the home to the same extent she laughed and replied “well Christmas is another holiday. We’re a little bit extra I guess.”
Regarding the number of children who show up for candy she this year the rush for treats was less than last year but last year there was a promotional video made of the display.
“Last year we had about 300 but this year it is a little bit slower but it’s exciting. For everybody who comes out it is exciting.”
The intricate carved pumpkins - MJ Independent photo
Asked if she minded so many people stopping in the response was it was what it is all about.
“No!! Look at us we went and dressed up for this. We wouldn’t do that if we didn’t love it,” she said, adding “last year we had a video that we kind of put out and everybody loved it and so I think that drew some attention as well. You know we don’t do this for people to not see this."
This is one chicken that wasn’t scared and went back for a second handout of free candy - MJ Independent photo
While there vehicles with people from other parts of Moose Jaw stopped in to look at the display.
She said the work on putting out the display for just one single night starts on October 1st with many of the creations made during the year.
What will next year’s display hold is yet to be released but it all lies in the imagination and ingenuity of an 11 year old grade six student and what he can come up with to add to his growing display.
Many people stopped to take in and photo/video the Halloween display - MJ Independent photo
Added Note: For all photography buffs out there the video and photographs were shot with a Nikon Z6 ii on a Z24-70 S lens without a flash - hand held run and gun - so as not to destroy the ambiance of the display and the emotion it carried in the dark with available street and creator’s own lighting.