‘Be a kid again’: Edmonton family builds elaborate haunted castle for Halloween

A family in northeast Edmonton is going medieval for the Halloween season, building a castle on their front lawn. CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach reports.

The family that famously created a detailed pirate ship in their front yard for Halloween in 2023 are back this year and spookier than ever.

Edmonton’s Beacon Heights neighbourhood is getting a haunted castle, courtesy of Dave Ewanec and his family.

“It was about the end of August when the wife and I were discussing Halloween and how we did the pirate ship two years ago and how we had to try and top it,” Ewanec told CTV News Edmonton from his front yard on Tuesday.

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“So I came up with the, I guess brilliant, maybe … idiotic idea of building a haunted castle.”

Construction is now well underway, and Ewanec attests that it’s been laborious between work and school, even with the help of his wife, son, daughter and mother.

The castle, which is made entirely of wooden pallets, has its tallest tower standing at 11 feet tall. The walls are eight feet high. The structure itself is around 23 feet long.

Upon completion, the castle will boast four separately-themed rooms.

“One thing we know for a fact is we’re going to build an armory in one of the rooms,” Ewanec said.

“It’s a whole family affair. I’ve got some of the neighbours, people just walking by, people I’m meeting, and they’re asking if we need help at all.”

With 2023’s pirate ship as a precedent, the family has been able to scout out materials like spools, sheets and pallets for free.

Still, he said the construction has cost them more than 1,000 screws so far.

Similar to two years ago, Edmonton’s Food Bank will have bins outside the castle for those who want to check out the castle and donate food in return.

Ewanec hopes to have the final touches done within the next two weeks. The castle will stand outside his house at 11910 44 St.

His mother, Hilda, who also spoke to CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday, said the price and labour are worth it for the excitement of the kids in the neighbourhood.

“They can hardly wait until it’s finished,” she said.

Her son, however, said Halloween is just as much for the adults.

“Just enjoy Halloween. Be a kid again,” Ewanec said.

“If you don’t love Halloween, come by and see [the castle] yourself. Maybe you’ll change.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach