Halloween displays turned into fundraisers
- Ron Giofu
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
With Halloween fast approaching, decorations are going up at homes in Amherstburg and surrounding areas.
Some of those displays carry a charitable twist to them.
At least three local homes are decked out for Halloween with those coming to view the displays encouraged to bring canned goods, non-perishable food items or cash donations for the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission. Another is accepting donations for Wings Rehabilitation Centre.
After a two-year absence, Ken Grant and his wife Karri-Lynn have set up their display in front of their home at 440 McLellan Ave. This year’s theme is “Slicer’s Roadkill Grill & Ice Cream Parlour” with moving parts, a photo booth, a detailed diner setting and, of course, the ever-popular vomiting zombie.
The theme was supposed to be used in 2023, but got delayed due to work and personal circumstances.
“I missed two years because of work and renovations in the house,” he said,
also noting their son also was married around this time two years ago. “The last two years, there was no time to do this.”
Grant said he’s glad to bring the materials out of storage at their home and set it up. There were also supplies picked up at yard sales, auctions and even things picked up off the curb that were disposed of by other people.
“The kids missed it,” he said. “They’re glad we’re back.”
Between staying busy at work and other commitments, Grant said it took him over a month to set it up. An hour here and an hour-and-a-half there, and it was finally set up.
“It’s all worth it,” he said. “I enjoy it.”
While pleased with how it turned out, he admitted there were some other elements he would have liked to have added.
“I’m happy with it,” he said. “I like detail.”
Residents of British Columbia got a chance to see the display as they were in Amherstburg to visit family, he added.
Neighbours Heather and Derek Shank have re-established their “Carn-Evil” display in front of their home at 437 McLellan Ave. Like the Grants, the Shanks are also welcoming food and cash donations to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission.
For 2026, tentative plans for the Grant family exhibit is to have an amusement park.
Hours the Grants have their display running are Thursday dusk-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday dusk-10 p.m. and Sunday dusk-9 p.m.
Down the road at 469 McLellan, at the corner of Pettypiece Dr., Stan Lewton has decorated his garage with a Halloween theme complete with 12 speakers, videos and plenty of haunted decor to go around. It is a display that has taken upwards of 14 years to compile, with Lewton stating he has built it up over the years.
Setting it up took approximately three weeks, so some items stay up all year.
“I love it,” said Lewton. “It’s such a joy.”
Like his neighbours, there is a charitable twist to his Halloween display but unlike his neighbours, it’s a cause different than the mission. Lewton said donations are being collected for Wings Rehabilitation Centre.
“It’s a good cause,” said Lewton. “I have three cats. I’m an animal lover.”
Joking that his wife Jennifer is very patient, Lewton added they enjoy the display. Some items are purchased at Home Depot and Spirit Halloween, with other items purchased at area dollar stores and repurposed for Halloween purposes. He said audio is a particular focus with the speakers around the garage and front of the property.
“I think my audio sets me apart,” said Lewton.
His children also help paint and set up the displays.
“We just love it,” he said. “It’s so much fun.”
The public also loves it, Lewton added, and people can view it this Friday through Sunday from 6-10 p.m. each night.
“The people love it. That’s number one,” he said. “It’s a passion, that’s for sure. I’m still blown away by it. It’s a great time. I love the fact people love it.”
“The Shrine on Durango” is also back this year. Located at 17 Durango Ave. in the small subdivision off of St. Therese Dr. in Malden Centre, the Anderson family is also encouraging people who stop by to drop off food and/or monetary donations to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship >ission.
Ken Anderson, along with wife Jessica and boys A.J., Logan and Erik, set up their display and are welcoming people to stop by “The Shrine on Durango” Thursdays from dusk-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from dusk-10:30 p.m. through October.
“I started working of stuff in mid-August,” said Ken. “I love it when the kids come.”
Ken said he doesn’t go for scares as he would rather have children and families come and enjoy the display. It starts in front of the home and winds its way to the backyard.
While he purchased some of the displays at Home Depot, others were built and created himself. The neighbours enjoy the displays, he said. Ken added he also purchased another person’s collection.
The Anderson family decided to donate to the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission after people were asking last year if donations were being accepted. It is the second year for “The Shrine on Durango” and they believe the mission is a great cause.
“I want to keep it local in Amherstburg,” he said of the donations.
The boys enjoyed working on the displays while setting them up and like being around when the public comes through.
“They love it,” said Ken. “They helped put it all together.”
Future plans include adding to the displays and having it loop around the entire house. They are able to store the bulk of the materials on site and plan to display them every year.
People from as far as Windsor come out to see it, Ken added, noting the home is listed on the Windsor, Ontario Everything Halloween Haunt Facebook page as well as on www.wehalloween.ca.
Halloween displays turned into fundraisers
By Ron Giofu