Preview: House of Horror

This Halloween sees the arrival of St Andrews’ newest landmark event – the House of Horror Charity Gala to be held at Kinkell Byre. I met with event Co-Presidents Nathalie Seidl and Caitlin Craig and Head of Press, Jack Barratt to find out a bit more about what’s in store.

What made you want to put on the event in the first place?

CC: Nathalie and I actually met at DONT WALK last year…

NS: …I ended up talking about my St Andrews bucket list and one of the things on it was to hold a Halloween event. Then we went for coffee the next day and I guess you could say the rest is history…

There will be some people thinking ‘Kinkell, again…’. How are you going to make it different for House of Horror?

NS: This is something that we really put a lot of thought into. We’ve met with the owners of Kinkell numerous times to try and get a set-up that will be different to previous events. It helps so much when the people we are organising it with are excited too.

CC: We have completely rearranged the dancefloor and really cut down the whole area. It’s so easy to get lost or lose your friends at Kinkell and we didn’t want this to happen at House of Horror.

JB: I’m also pretty sure we’re the only event at Kinkell with a haunted house…

CC: The Haunted House is going to be really special. A lot of thought and work has been put into it and it’s really going to set HoH apart from any other event.

The event is a fundraiser for Elephant Family. What do they do and what made you choose this charity?

CC: I worked at an elephant reserve in Thailand on my year out so the connection stems from that. What also really appealed was that the people running Elephant Family are also young and have been so supportive of us.

You’ve managed to get some exciting sponsors on board too, and what is this we’ve heard about a Snow Queen?

NS: Our main sponsor is Snow Queen Vodka. Snow Queen is a super premium, organic vodka with 28 international awards for taste.We have local sponsors as well, and the Curiosity Shop on South Street is another sponsor who has been really great. They have provided the props used in the promotional shoots and also for the decorations for the Haunted House on the night of the event.

CC: They have all been incredibly supportive. Snow Queen is also running a Snow Queen Model Competition where girls attending the event will be able to be the event’s ‘Snow Queen’ for the night.

NS: The winner will also receive a cash prize of £500! Applicants must like the Snow Queen Vodka Facebook page and send a message to the page with a full-body picture of themselves, their height and a few words on what would make them a rocking snow queen. As the winner will play an essential role at the event, we are looking forward to meeting whomever SQ choses!

And any tips for costumes for the night?

NS: We really just want people to go all out. That’s one of the reasons why Halloween is my favourite holiday and I wanted to put on this event so much; it’s the only real opportunity you have to put together an amazing costume.

The House of Horror Charity Gala is taking place on October 31^st. For more information, visit their website and like their Facebook page.