Giant pirate ship takes shape in Fort Rouge for Halloween

WINNIPEG — If you’re trick-or-treating in the Fort Rouge area Monday night, you may come across a giant pirate ship.

For the past eight years, Don Buchanan and Jay Erlandson have built Halloween-themed structures in front of a home on the 600 block of Rosedale Avenue.

Last year it was a maze; the year before that was a dragon; and this year is a large pirate ship equipped with cardboard cannons, skeletons and treasure. The wood paneling on the ship also turns into castle walls.

“We like to do something for the community… a nice safe place for kids to go,” Buchanan  said.

Buchanan said every year they build a theme that is more elaborate.

“The first year we started out using old tents and little pieces,” he said. “Every year after that we kept expanding and coming up with bigger and better projects.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "The first year we started out using old tents and little pieces," he said. "Every year after that we kept expanding and coming up with bigger and better projects."

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The two Halloween enthusiasts already have next year’s theme laid out – a walk in museum. They said they don’t build “bloody” or “gory” themes, but focus on objects jumping out on you, in order to create a suspenseful experience.

RELATED: Halloween a washout in most of southern Manitoba

Although the rain may put a damper on Halloween,  Erlandson said it helps play to the pirate theme.

“We’re thankful there is no snow,” he added.