Boo at the Bliss: A Halloween Experience for the Entire Family

With Halloween just around the corner, thrill-seekers and candy lovers alike are on the hunt for the ultimate tricks and treats. This year, those eager for a good scare or a dazzling show flocked to the Bliss Center for Performing Arts. On Sunday, it transformed into a hub of horror and wonder with the Boo at the Bliss Haunted Maze and Theatrical Experience. In this week’s episode of Kolcha Tuesday, News Five’s Britney Gordon takes us on a tour through Belize’s very own spine-tingling spectacle.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

With Halloween just around the corner, children and adults worldwide are gearing up for the big day. But Halloween isn’t just about costumes and candy; it’s a time for communities to come together and enjoy festive activities with a spooky twist. While Halloween may not be the most celebrated holiday in Belize, there are still a few events that families can enjoy together in the Halloween spirit. On Sunday, the Institute of Creative Arts and NICH teamed up to present a theatrical experience at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts. Theater Director Jillian Fuller shares more about the “Boo at the Bliss” event.

 

Jillian Fuller, Theater Director, Bliss Center for Performing Arts

“It’s called the Final Exit. When you enter, there’s a movie trail, and after that, we’ll take you on a trail on the stage, and that’s where you’re going to be seeing all different kinds of Horrific stuff.”

 

It was a symphony of lights, sounds, and textures as visitors were led through a maze filled with actors and visual effects. Fuller highlights that one of the most exciting aspects of the event is giving creatives a chance to showcase and test their skills, adding an extra layer of fun to the festivities.

 

Jillian Fuller

“For us here, it’s for our technicians to explore, come up with new ideas and do creative stuff. Yes, they are behind the scenes most of the times, but this is where they get to test their technical skills.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And how long did it take to create this entire exhibit basically and this experience?”

 

Jillian Fuller

“We were talking about it and let’s say maybe a week when we finalize everything and we’re putting them together.“

 

The Boo at the Bliss event began in 2023 and was brought back this year by popular demand. The doors opened at three p.m. but the line stretched around the corner long before visitors were welcomed inside. We spoke with twelve-year-old Ari Smith, a returning customer, while he waited to be let inside. He told us how excited he is to experience the thrill once again.

 

Britney Gordon

“What are you looking forward to?”

 

Ari Smith, Visitor

“The thrill of the scares and also just the excitement going with my family.”

 

Britney Gordon

“You went last year?”

 

Ari Smith

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

Britney Gordon

“And what was the most exciting part about it last year?”

 

Ari Smith

“When we get to the middle and the fog was so thick that we never know whether front or back.”

 

Some visitors immersed themselves in the Halloween spirit and dressed for the occasion. Nine-year-old Noah felt no fear as he got into character.

 

Britney Gordon

“Are you feeling any scared at all?”

 

Noah, Visitor

“No.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Are you excited? What are you most excited for?”

 

Noah

“Nothing. I’m not excited. I’m just excited.  I will just eat people.”

 

It began with a theatrical viewing of a horror show, setting the scene for visitors to be spooked. Then, they were guided through the haunted maze brimming with terrors at every corner.

 

Conner Ferguson, Visitor

“It was, it was fun. Kind of scary.”

 

Britney Gordon

“But you had a good time, ultimately. What was the best part?”

 

Conner Ferguson

“It was good. The best part was when they were grabbing our foots and we didn’t realize.  So, it was very scary.”

 

The Boo at the Bliss Haunted House was created with children in mind, but it received two thumbs up from parents as well.

 

Shane Henry, Visitor

“It was excellent. I enjoyed it. It was my first time coming. We heard about it through Facebook. And then I saw a little clip on the news as well. But yeah, it was really worth it.”

 

Britney Gordon

“What was the best part of the experience?”

 

Shane Henry

“My son. He was petrified, but it was good. It was worth it.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Alright. So you think that is something that you’d bring back your family to next year”

 

Shane Henry

“Oh, definitely. I always encourage anything that the Niche team does and everything culture, you know, I represent music. This is just a different aspect of cultural and experience.”

 

If you missed this weekend’s experience, the Boo at the Bliss will be returning for an encore on Halloween night from six to eight p.m. Britney Gordon for News Five.