Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The Creekside Insanitorium in Penticton

A brand new cemetery has sprung up at the bottom of Creekside Road in Penticton, accompanied by blood splattered zombies, several skulls and witches.

The props are featured in the Creekside Insanitorium, a haunted attraction being held for the third year in the city.

"It's a lot of fun, of course," said resident Erik Laflamme, who created the attraction with wife Lisa. "And in this case because we do it for charity, it's an awesome way to give back to Penticton and the community."

The attraction will accept donated funds and food that go toward the Upper Deck Vees, a special needs hockey team, and the food bank.

Last year they raised enough to get new jerseys for everyone on the team, as well as getting three and a half barrels full of food for the food bank.

This year, said Laflamme, who works as a Zamboni driver at the South Okanagan Events Centre, they are trying to raise money to send the team to a special needs tournament on the coast.

Visitors interested in giving back and experiencing the thrills and chills of the attraction, will be treated to even more this year.

"The haunted attraction grows every year, with new characters," said Laflamme.

Among them are See-Thru Sindy, a zombie clad in a blood splattered dress, and a witch, who has not been named yet.

They join such existing scary props as Dolly, who hangs from a tree in the front yard, and assorted witches.

Names on headstones in the haunted cemetery include Grannie, 1912 to 2000, Barry D. Alive, died Oct. 31, and Willie Rot.

Laflamme, who along with Lisa, previously offered a haunted attraction in North Vancouver, said they continue to do this because they love this time of year.

"It is our wedding anniversary, because my wife and I were married on Halloween, 2010," he said. "Easter, Christmas and Valentine's Day are also about celebrating with families, but this is the holiday you can celebrate with friends."

The Creekside Insanitorium will be held from 7 to 11 p.m., Oct. 24 and 25, and from dusk until late on Halloween, Oct. 31.

The admission is cash donations for the Upper Deck Vees or non-perishable food items for the food bank.

The attraction at 796 Eckhardt Ave. E. is not recommended for the faint of heart, toddlers or people with medical conditions such as epilepsy or asthma.