For something “everyone was talking about” in the days ahead of the first Haunted Hangar at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum, the tune quickly changed in the actual pre-Halloween event’s line up.
“Everyone was all excited about it – and then they got there,” 14 Wing Greenwood Colonel Luc Vachon said November 14. “All of a sudden – not excited! All the nervousness, all the excuses started….”
Gory make-up and dramatic injuries, costumed zombies, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, sound effects and a substantial remodeling of the museum – inside and out – all contributed to an after-dark event that “opened the doors of the museum” and brought “the extra – just before Halloween.
“It was awesome to see.”
Vachon, with Wing Chief Warrant Officer Justin Harper, visited the museum to congratulate and thank the volunteer team that contributed their skills, time and effort to the three-night Haunted Hangar. Many museum staff and volunteers, community members, sections and individuals from across 14 Wing had a hand in the planning, staging and running of the event, which included visitor challenges themed on aviation and 14 Wing flying heritage.
“The idea and the lead for this, initiating all the effort, was Corporal Stephanie Madore,” Vachon said. He and Harper presented her with a command team coin in thanks for going “above and beyond.” Over three days, the Haunted Hangar welcomed 400 people and raised $3,500 for museum operations and projects.
Harper extended Madore’s coin presentation to the full team of volunteers, as the Haunted Hangar’s “success belongs to everyone who had a hand in it.
“I did a tour of the event a couple days before it opened, and there was stuff all over the place. It turned into a huge success.”
The Haunted Hangar team resourcefully scrounged recycled materials, used paint, broken pallets, donated Halloween decorations and more to create the event’s environment.
“The question is: are we doing this again next year!?” Vachon asked.
