Giving Back to Our Community: A $10,000 Donation to Kelowna General Hospital’s McNair Mental Health Unit

December 12, 2024|

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We are beyond excited to share that this past season, the Black Mountain Haunted House was able to give back to the community in a truly meaningful way. Thanks to the overwhelming support of our visitors, volunteers, and sponsors, we donated $10,000 to the McNair Mental Health Unit at Kelowna General Hospital. 🏥❤️

How Your Support Made a Difference

This donation went directly towards improving the comfort and care of patients receiving mental health services at the new Ketamine Treatment Clinic. The funds provided:

Weighted blankets to help patients feel secure and calm.
Noise-cancelling headphones to assist those with sensory sensitivities.
Comfortable pillows to create a restful environment.
Furnishings that help transform the clinic into a more welcoming, home-like space.

These additions aim to reduce the clinical feel of the hospital and provide a more therapeutic environment, which can significantly impact patient well-being during treatment.

Supporting the Care Teams

In addition to enhancing patient care, part of the donation was used to purchase supplies for the dedicated nurses and staff who work tirelessly to support mental health patients. By investing in the well-being of these healthcare providers, we help ensure that they can continue delivering compassionate and effective care.

A Community Effort

This achievement would not have been possible without the collective effort of:

Our incredible volunteers — from actors and set designers to guest services, construction teams, and parking attendants.
Hillcrest Farm Market — for sponsoring our new and expanded location.
You — our visitors who showed up in record numbers to experience our haunted house and make a difference.

Your ticket purchases, enthusiasm, and support allowed us to give back to a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to not only create thrilling experiences but also contribute to our community’s mental health services. Thank you for being part of this journey. We can’t wait to welcome you back next year for even more scares and support!

👻🖤 With Haunted Thanks,
The Black Mountain Haunted House Team

BMHH Helps Bring Healing Through Art to KGHBMHH Helps Bring Healing Through Art to KGH

September 3, 2025| Stephanie k| 0 Comment| 12:43 am

At the Black Mountain Haunted House (BMHH), our mission has always gone beyond creating unforgettable scares, it’s about building community and giving back where it matters most. BMHH is proud to support the new healing mural at Kelowna General Hospital. This year, we are excited to share how your support of BMHH directly helped fund a powerful new project: a healing art mural in the psychiatric courtyard at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

From Haunted Halls to Healing Walls

The psychiatric courtyard is one of the few safe outdoor spaces available to patients. Once a plain, unused area, it has now been transformed into a vibrant and meaningful space for reflection and recovery.

Thanks to the support of our guests, volunteers, and sponsors, BMHH’s annual donation played a part in making this transformation possible.

The Mural: Culture, Nature, and Healing Combined

Created by artists Jorden and David Doody in collaboration with syilx artist Sheldon Louis, the mural celebrates the Okanagan landscape and syilx culture.

It features:

The flowing waters of Mission Creek
Towering trees and sweeping cloudscapes
Kikinee (kokanee salmon) and tule (bullrushes)
A traditional tule-covered lodge

These elements bring calm, culture, and connection into the hospital space, giving patients a sense of belonging and peace during their recovery.

BMHH’s Commitment

BMHH is honored to have contributed to this meaningful project through our annual donation to KGH. What began as a seasonal haunted attraction has grown into a community effort that raises funds for mental health year after year.

Every ticket purchased, every volunteer who gives their time, and every sponsor who supports BMHH makes this possible. Together, we are not only building unforgettable haunted house experiences, we are also helping create lasting spaces of care and healing in our community.

Looking Ahead

The mural at KGH is a reminder of the power of community and the importance of supporting mental wellness. BMHH strives to continue to make annual donations to mental health initiatives here in Kelowna to ensure that projects like this can become a reality.

We thank Hillcrest Farm Market, our volunteers, sponsors, and every guest who walked through our doors last season. Your support is what turns our haunted house into a house of hope.

“This mural is more than paint on a wall, it’s a symbol of healing, culture, and compassion. BMHH is proud to stand behind projects that support mental wellness in our community.”

Exploring the Eerie: Our Visit to Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum in Las VegasExploring the Eerie: Our Visit to Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum in Las Vegas

February 10, 2025| Stephanie k| 0 Comment| 7:47 pm

Last month, Ash and I took an unforgettable trip to Las Vegas with one main goal in mind—to visit Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum. As avid haunted house enthusiasts and creators, this museum felt like a dream destination. It’s packed with eerie exhibits, historical artifacts, and chilling tales that had us captivated from the moment we walked in. The experience not only satisfied our curiosity but also gave us countless ideas to enhance this year’s haunted house event.

Walking Through the Haunted Museum

The Haunted Museum is a treasure trove of eerie objects and immersive displays. From cursed dolls to vintage circus paraphernalia, every corner seemed to whisper a story. One highlight was the doll exhibit, which featured some truly unsettling pieces. (Check out the photos we snapped of the dolls below.)

Another favorite was the “Bimbo 3 Ring Circus” arcade machine. Its retro style and haunting vibe got us thinking about adding vintage, interactive elements to some sections of our haunted house.

Gathering Inspiration for This Year’s Haunted House

Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum left us buzzing with ideas. The attention to detail in their props and staging inspired us to elevate our own immersive storytelling. Here are a few ideas we’re taking back with us:

Cursed Objects Room: We loved how the museum displayed cursed and haunted items, each with its own story.
Claustrophobic Hallways: One section of the museum played with tight, dark spaces that heightened tension. This aligns perfectly with some of our current ideas, and we’re brainstorming ways to make it even more intense.
Interactive Props: From animatronics to interactive displays, the museum kept visitors engaged. We’re planning to add touchpoints like cursed “artifacts” that activate audio scares or lights.
Lighting and Soundscapes: The eerie lighting and carefully crafted soundscapes gave each room its own personality. We’ll be incorporating these elements heavily this year.

Photo Highlights from Our Trip

A wall of haunted dolls, glowing eerily under dim lights (pictured below).

The iconic Haunted Museum entrance, with its quirky vintage vibe.

The “Warning” sign—a perfect inspiration for setting the tone at the entrance of our haunted house.

Ash and me repping our Black Mountain Haunted House shirts.

The Las Vegas strip on a quiet morning, capturing the contrast of the bustling city and the eerie museum hidden within.

Looking Ahead

This trip to Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum was not just an exploration but a masterclass in haunted storytelling. We’re excited to implement these ideas into this year’s haunted house and can’t wait to see how our visitors react to the new immersive elements.

Stay tuned as we unveil more about this year’s themes and features. For now, enjoy these photos, and let us know what you’re most excited about for this year’s Black Mountain Haunted House!

Behind the Screams: Building the Black Mountain Haunted HouseBehind the Screams: Building the Black Mountain Haunted House

December 17, 2024| Stephanie k| 0 Comment| 12:04 am

The Black Mountain Haunted House is more than just a collection of terrifying scenes — it’s a labor of love, creativity, and teamwork. Each year, an incredible group of volunteers, staff, and community members come together to build an unforgettable experience. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the magic, mayhem, and hard work that went into this year’s haunted house.

Late Nights and Lumber Loads

It all started with the essentials: lumber. We loaded up the truck with the wood that would form the bones of the haunted house (Thanks to our wonderful Volunteers). Under the night sky, we arrived at Hillcrest Farm Market, ready to unload and prepare for the build. The excitement was palpable — we were laying the foundation for this year’s scares! 🛠️🌙

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Day 1: Walls Go Up

On the first day of the build, the site buzzed with energy. Volunteers worked together to frame the walls, piece by piece. The structure started to take shape, and with every nail and beam, we got closer to our vision. Of course, breaks were necessary, and our team made sure to enjoy snacks, coffee, and a bit of shade. The camaraderie kept us going strong! ☕🔨

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Raising the Roof

With the walls up, it was time to go vertical! Ashley climbed the beams, securing the roof with precision and a smile. Dad was right there with his steady hands and expertise, ensuring everything was solid. Our volunteers worked tirelessly, balancing on ladders and beams to complete the structure.

Soon, the roof was on, and we had a fully enclosed space ready for the next phase. Rain or shine, this haunted house was ready to stand tall and deliver the scares! 🌧️🏗️

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Crafting the Details

While the structure was being built, creativity was in full swing. Our volunteers brought scenes to life with handcrafted props and meticulous attention to detail.

In the photos, you can see Ashley hard at work constructing giant nutcrackers. From humble materials like Sonotubes, PVC pipes, and paint, these nutcrackers transformed into imposing sentinels for the Krampus Hallway. With glittering gold trim, vibrant red jackets, and painted faces, these nutcrackers add a chilling festive twist to the eerie scene, guarding the path where Krampus and his sinister elves dwell. 🎨🛠️

Meanwhile, Michaela meticulously crafted snowflakes for our Winter Forest scene, adding that magical, icy touch. ❄️ And Aunty Heather assembled the Christmas trees that would set the stage for the snowy landscape — complete with the chilling Yeti lurking in the shadows. 🌲👹

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Community Spirit

One of the highlights of this year’s build was the participation of staff from the McNair Mental Health Unit at Kelowna General Hospital. These incredible healthcare workers took time out of their busy schedules to help with construction, showing just how much this haunted house means to our community. Their enthusiasm and hard work reminded us why we do this — to support a great cause while having fun together. ❤️

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The Final Push

As the walls went up, the rooms took shape, and the details came together, the excitement built to a fever pitch. From securing tarps to stringing lights and pumpkins, everyone pitched in until the haunted house was ready for its grand opening.

Ashley took a well-deserved break, her smile a testament to the joy and pride we all felt. After long days and late nights, the Black Mountain Haunted House was complete — a spooky masterpiece built with sweat, laughter, and heart. 🎃🛠️

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A Labor of Love

Building the haunted house isn’t just about creating scares — it’s about community, creativity, and connection. Every volunteer, family member, and friend who helped made this experience possible. From loading lumber to crafting snowflakes, every moment was filled with fun, teamwork, and a shared passion for giving our community an unforgettable experience.

Thank you to everyone who helped build, support, and visit the Black Mountain Haunted House. We can’t wait to scare you again next year! 👻❤️