STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Judith Peak scours white sales looking for the perfect sheets. And she never passes a leftover Halloween bin without rummaging through it.
Those sheets will materialize as goblins and the rubber hands will take their place among other dangling body parts when Peak and her husband Gary Peak trot out their second annual Peak’s Haunted Garden in Bellevue Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Haunted Garden will follow on the heels of the pointy witch’s boots that will take part in the Bellevue Haunted Forest from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday in Howard’s Preserve west of Main Street.
“We’re calling it ‘four nights of fright,’ ” said Tammy Schofield Davis, who founded the Bellevue Haunted Forest 11 years ago. “We say, ‘We scare to share’ since we give the money we raise to the upkeep of the Howard’s Preserve, the Bellevue Library and a few other causes.”
Judith Peak started turning her purple home into a Halloween spectacle years ago when her children were young. Last year she created a mazelike path through her yard, garden, patio, garage, greenhouse and even the butcher shop where Gary Peak prepares hunters’ deer and elk.
She asked for donations and raised $500 for the Bellevue Library across the street.
“They had body parts dangling from the ceiling--it was quite something,” said Sterling Davis. “It’s not like your neighbor’s house down the street. It’s the real deal.”
Last year’s theme was New Orleans, with its spooky moss-covered mansions. This year’s theme is Clue, as in the game, said Judith Peak. The Haunted Garden will be open to visitors from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at 311. S. 2nd St.
“I like decorating for Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday as far as decorating goes. And I’ve already got plans for next year,” she added.
Peak will still lend her time to Bellevue’s Haunted Forest, which she’s done every year since it started.
This year’s spooky walk through the woods has been bolstered by the donation of generators from Cox Communications and The Bead Shop. There also will be cameras placed throughout the woods, thanks to IdaHome Technology.
“ ‘The Resurrection’ is the theme, as we’re resurrecting ideas from years past and adding new things to them,” said Tammy Davis.
Gina Bennett will be collecting tickets at the gate but she likely won’t venture into the woods.
“I don’t like scary stuff—that’s why I’m at the gate,” she said. “It’s all about helping out the community. It’s a great event for different causes.”
Admission for the Bellevue Haunted Forest is $10 for adults and $5 for youth, with proceeds going towards the maintenance of the Howard’s Preserve, Bellevue’s Burn Fund, Bellevue Library and the Bellevue Museum. Tickets are available at Mahoney’s Bar and Grill, 7Fuego and Studio 213 and Bead Shop or at the gate.