Getting goosebumps, cold shivers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/10/2019 (2205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you love a good fright, then plan on venturing out to the RM of Macdonald this month to take in Heebie Jeebies.

Owner and operator Tim Muys is quick to reassure folks who don’t want to be pursued through a corn maze by an axe-wielding scarecrow that there is a less spooky “scaredy cat” zone but you might have to put up with the smell of charred corpses, a thick layer of fog and the occasional wandering zombie.

“Smell can really trigger emotions,” said Muys.

Heebie Jeebies is a family affair for Muys and his wife Michelle as some of their four children also don costumes to help terrify their guests.

The Muys operate Green Blade Lawn Care from their business location at 53071 La Salle Rd. and have turned a fenced section of the property into a haunted attraction for the second year.

“We are hoping for 20,000 people this year,” Tim said, adding that about 7,000 came out in 2018 and the site is now twice as large.

The Muys got hooked on the haunted Halloween attraction concept during a trip to the United States about 13 years ago when they visited a professional commercial operation that wowed them. Since that time, they made a point of visiting others and, after attending a Haunted Attractions convention in Las Vegas, realized that there was a business opportunity awaiting them.

“I thought, ‘We can actually do this,’” Muys said.

They tested their idea on family and friends in 2017 with a modest-sized attraction.

“They were blown away,” Muys said, and based on that positive reaction, he and Michelle invested in many more costumes, props and equipment. He estimates that they have spent about $150,000 in part on over 150 costumes.

The masks the actors wear are created from latex, silicon or burlap. The silicon masks are the most expensive and can cost up to $1,500 but are very durable and will outlast the latex masks. Their flexibility also allows the wearer to move the lips in a realistic manner when speaking. The burlap masks are sturdy, with some created by a Winnipeg designer.

“They’re all very unique,” Muys said. ”People love the detail.”

Those who have attended zombie night at Winnipeg Goldeyes games will have seen some of the Heebie Jeebies costumes. Muys said the new Winnipeg Ice hockey team is also holding a zombie night.

This year’s attraction offers guests the chance to walk through four mazes — a circus-themed maze called Circus Freakus, a corn maze named Corn Stalkers, Meet the Inbreds that includes a realistic swamp, and The Junk Yard. Muys said each maze will take about 10 minutes to walk through, and people should plan to be at Heebie Jeebies for up to three hours.

A central courtyard will feature a booth with free hot chocolate, food vendors, photo opportunities, and carnival games with a zombie spin, such as a ring toss using skeletons’ fingers as the posts.

Sections of the mazes are created inside shipping containers but Muys advises guests to dress for the outdoors. The entire site, including the parking lot, is being covered with a layer of gravel to help with drainage.

The evenings of Oct. 12, 19, 26 and 31 will end with fireworks displays by Winnipeg’s award-winning Archangel Fireworks.

Muys said, along with his family, about 150 people are hired for this year’s event, with many returning from last year.

“They just block off the whole month,” he said.

Advertising for Heebie Jeebies states that the attraction isn’t recommended for those under age 13. Muys said because of this, he believes that his venture isn’t in direct competition with other local Halloween attractions that are aimed more at families with young children.
He also emphasizes the focus on guest safety at Heebie Jeebies and said none of the costumed actors will touch the guests.

Muys said he is in discussions to eventually move the attraction to a larger site and expand its scope.

“We’ll see where it goes.”

For more information on dates and tickets, see https://heebie-jeebies.ca