A tradition that was started by Gravenhurst High School (GHS) students in the early 90s will continue at the Gravenhurst Opera House.
Griffin McIntyre, grade 12 student at GHS, says the theme this year is “alien spider monsters from outer space.” Attendees will have to go through a maze and get out of the spaceship’s escape hatch after a science experiment has gone wrong.
McIntyre explains the idea was partly inspired by the 1979 movie Alien, which has since spawned numerous sequels, prequels, books, and video games. “It was a lot of spitballing,” adds McIntyre “We took everyone’s ideas and combined them.”
Earl Sacrey, teacher at GHS, says the event is totally run by students. He explains he hosted weekly one-hour meetings around lunchtime to discuss how things would go. Other than that, he says he lets the students take over.
“It’s the magic of different minds coming together,” says Sacrey, who has been the teacher in charge of the Spooktacular for the past 12 years.
Last year, McIntyre was the main antagonist of the show. It marked the return of the Spooktacular after a COVID-19-forced hiatus.
“It’s a chance to socialize with a bunch of new students at the school since I am graduating this year, and it’s a way to pass on some of the traditions we do,” says McIntyre. He believes the Spooktacular is an important tradition that so many at GHS – and the grander community – look forward to every year. “It makes your heart feel warm inside,” he says about knowing people care so much about the event.
The Spooktacular is happening on Wednesday, Oct. 25 between 6 and 8 p.m. at the Gravenhurst Opera House. Sacrey says admission is a non-perishable food item that will be donated to Gravenhurst Against Poverty.
“We aim to provide an all-ages experience,” he says. “We group younger kids together and create a lighter tour for them or we’ll group older students to experience the full bejeesus.”
