The Haunted Garage Returns in Tipp City; Raising Funds for 3 Organizations
TIPP CITY - After a long hiatus, a popular Halloween tradition in Tipp City (that also raises money for the MS Society and other local charities) is back again in 2024. The Haunted Garage, located at the private home of Charline Werts at 7373 Bard Rd., just outside of town, contains one of the largest collections of horror and Halloween props in the region. Many of the items are animatronics that move, react, light up, speak and even lunge at visitors as they walk through the Garage.
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The Haunted Garage was started in 1999 by Charline and Keith Allen. Keith grew up with a passion for all things Halloween and, over the years, amassed a large collection of horror items that he kept and displayed in the couple’s garage. One day, a pizza deliveryman noticed the collection and encouraged Keith and Charline to open it to the public, which they did. In 2004, after Charline’s mother, Betty, passed away after battling multiple sclerosis, the couple decided to turn the Haunted Garage into a fundraiser for the local MS Society. Over the years, thousands of people visited the Garage and thousands of dollars were raised for the MS Society.
Unfortunately, Keith passed away suddenly in 2015 and Charline decided to put the event on hiatus, possibly for good. However, in 2023 she said she was ready to bring it back, and will once again do so this October.
“(Keith) was always so proud of it and I feel like it’s time to bring it back,” she said on Thursday evening as she put the final touches on the display. “We were always so thankful for the support through the years and I hope to see that grow again.”
Charline said it will be a little different without Keith, who was known for pulling practical jokes on visitors (and who had expert knowledge about how to operate the lights, sound effects and props in the Garage), but that she looks forward to learning the tricks of the trade and bringing the experience back to the Miami Valley. She also thanked her neighbors for helping her set up this year’s Haunted Garage.
Looking in at the hundreds of items she and her neighbors set up in the garage (almost each of which has its own story), Charline adds, “This isn’t it. There’s a lot more stored away! But it’s a start and it will grow.”
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The Haunted Garage will be from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 and 31.
The display is free to view, but guests are encouraged to make a donation of any size for charity. Donations will not only benefit the MS Society, but also Tipp Kitty TNR and Rescue Me (pet rescue).
Follow the event for updates HERE.