A Haunted Garden Grows in Silver Spring

You won’t find the Great Pumpkin here, Charlie Brown. But you will find plenty of chills and thrills at a deliciously spooky Haunted Garden near Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring.

What started last year as a fun charity-spinoff has evolved into an annual tradition. The Haunted Garden which is hosted by Pure Energy Real Estate prides itself as a Halloween fright fest that takes place the last few weeks of October located at 9215 Worth Avenue.

Last year during a Pure Energy Real Estate community event called Fido on Sligo, a fundraiser for the Humane Society, Rania Peet, the Pure Energy’s former Creative Director, put together a Halloween-themed daytime “Haunted Garden.”

She used a large inventory of Halloween props that she owned from decorating nightclubs as an event planner. The neighborhood kids asked if they were going to have it open at night, so Peet decided to add to the decor and create a nighttime experience. They expanded it to Halloween weekend, made it open to the public, and offered it for free to all visitors.

“It was a huge success and we had a steady stream of people through that weekend with amazing reviews and praise from the community,” Peet said. “How could we not do it again? Not to mention it was so much fun! I was so sad when it ended!”

Donna Kerr, owner of Pure Energy, is a long-time Halloween enthusiast too. Kerr said the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. “Our neighbors are thankful to share in the magic of Halloween,” explained Kerr. “I think we have lost a bit of that in today’s world.”

From a ghost pirate ship to a vampire altar, the Haunted Garden has something for every horror fan with gothic taste. In all, there are seven different major areas. To take it all in, allow about half an hour for your visit including some family-friendly marshmallow-roasting over a campfire.

Peet estimates the expenses will amount to over $10,000 and the theatrical lighting effects came to $1,000. A crew of 12 put the displays together and additional live actors who mingle with the crowds to add a realistic jolt to the evenings. Volunteers are encouraged to join the zombie horde.

The garden haunting requires a complete electrical staff installing electricity throughout the entire a quarter-of-an-acre lot, landscapers cutting back bushes and adding wood chips for the trails, and a tree trimmer to make sure the large oaks are safe for patrons. The garden also must pass county safety inspections.

Monday, Oct. 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. is the last chance you will get to experience the the screams. If it is raining or snowing, check www.thehauntedgarden.com first for any possible weather-related closures.

Kathy Jentz is editor of Washington Gardener magazine and is a long-time DC area gardening enthusiast. Washington Gardener is all about gardening where you live. She can be reached at www.washingtongardener.com and welcomes your gardening questions.