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Turlock couple share love of all things spooky
haunted pic1
The haunted house attraction Turlock residents Anthony and Gina Vieira create in their garage and yard changes a little every year. - photo by NANCY ANGEL / The Journal

With Halloween just around the corner, local families are gearing up for the festivities by purchasing pumpkins, assembling costumes and, of course, buying candy for trick-or-treating.  Along with the traditional door-to-door candy collecting on Halloween night, one particular house is hosting its own spooky adventure and inviting ghosts and ghouls of all ages to join in the fun.   

Turlock residents Anthony and Gina Vieira are hosting their third annual haunted house walkthrough attraction at their home, located on 1600 Smith Drive. The attraction will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Halloween night.  The trick-or-treating extravaganza includes candy, popcorn, and a free tour around the haunted house located in the front patio.

“We would like to invite the whole community to trick and treat at our home for a fun and spooky trick or treating experience,” said Gina Vieira.  “Our haunted house is bigger than ever this year and is filled with many surprises that will have spectators on the edge of their seats.”

The elaborate detail put into the decorations is definitely spooky and transforms a garage into a true house of horrors.  The haunted house is adorned with ghosts, skeletons, and zombies fit for a horror movie. 

“Every year we spend a little bit of our hard-earned money on a new prop or décor,” said Anthony Vieira.  “Our haunted house gets bigger and better each year as we are always finding new and innovative ways to give trick-o-treaters the ultimate Halloween experience.”

The Vieiras have been sharing their passion for Halloween with the community for over 12 years and have no signs of stopping the tradition anytime soon.

“Our Halloween décor began in 1998 when we were just 17 years old and dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Flintstone.  We took the pleasure of decorating my sister’s home for Halloween,” said Gina.  “We soon became fascinated with the thought of creating our own small haunted house (located in the front patio) but it has grown since we bought our own home and we now transform our garage and yard into a spooky and exciting Halloween adventure.”

With the decline of trick-or-treaters throughout the years, the Vieiras are hoping to draw in neighborhood children by creating a safe and fun experience.

 “We believe sharing Halloween with our community is a way of giving back and providing children with a fun place to spend their Halloween evening,” said Gina.  “We hope to see everyone there.”