Queen of Halloween

Arlee’s royal family of Halloween has done it again.

Working tirelessly since the last week in August, Adrian and Melissa Mahseelah and their crew of helpers have constructed an intricate show of Halloween fun for their annual haunted house.

The free event put on by the Mahseelahs, with generous donations from Spirit Halloween and Party America in Missoula, has gained serious momentum in the past few years.

“We like to make it bigger and better every year,” Melissa said.

Last year, the Mahseelahs counted 741 children that passed through their display. Which, Adrian added, did not account for the parents that accompanied them.

“At times it looked like we were having the biggest party in the U.S.A.,” he said.

Even though droves of ghouls and goblins showed up from as far as Frenchtown and Kalispell to venture through the haunted house, there was a continuous flow through the rooms and throughout the night, with some children going back for seconds.

Melissa willingly says it was her inspiration to create the Halloween wonderland.

Not long ago, when most of her own kids were quite young, she said she couldn’t believe how expensive it was to take them out to activities around the spooky holiday.

She decided to host their own haunted house for the public that would be a free, fun and safe place for kids on Halloween.

“It really is a labor of love,” Melissa said.

This Halloween, Melissa has new inflatable decorations and the rooms are larger than the spaces the Mahseelahs created last year. This year with the help of the community, they hope to make it the best haunted house to date.

With Adrian not getting many jobs as a flagger with the highway department this summer, it has been harder for the family to get together all of the candy and toys they give to each child who attends.

The high school home economics class helped bake cookies and the girl scouts helped set up some of the many decorations.  

Adrian and Melissa said they are relying on the community to help them keep the event big and fun for the kids. Those wishing to donate to the haunted house are encouraged to contact the Mahseelahs.

“Candy, water, no matter what it is helps,” Melissa said, adding that she hopes they can keep up this new tradition for the community of Arlee.

The Mahseelahs said they would like to thank everyone who has helped this year and in the past to make the haunted house what it is today.

“It’s greatly appreciated. It wouldn’t be like it is without all of the support throughout the years,” Melissa said.

Several classes from local preschools, elementary and middle schools will be the first to explore the spooky menagerie Adrian, Melissa and their family have set up.  

The display will open to the public at 406 McMurterie (behind Hummingbird Toys and Treats) at 4:00 p.m. and run well into the evening.

The family will be screening Halloween movies on a projector and all are welcome to stay and play.