CHULA VISTA, Oct. 18, 2026 — One Chula Vista family is turning Halloween into a neighborhood-scale community event again this year.
The Blackwell family is building its annual Blackwell’s Fright Maze at 256 Second Avenue, transforming the family’s front yard into an elaborate haunted attraction that is free to visitors on Halloween night.
According to The Star-News, the tradition began about five years ago after Sarah Blackwell suggested turning the family’s Halloween decorating habit into a full haunted-house experience. What started small has grown into an increasingly elaborate maze built largely by family members.
A homegrown Chula Vista Halloween tradition
The family spends roughly a month constructing and decorating the maze. This year’s version is expected to be their largest yet, with rooms inspired by horror movies including Silent Hill and Saw, along with handmade props and about 200 beaded spider souvenirs made by Blackwell’s grandmother.
The family emphasizes that the attraction is not a business. Admission remains free. Donations through Venmo or Zelle are optional and help offset the cost of building the attraction.
When to go
The maze is scheduled to open around dark on Halloween, October 31. Visitors should remember that this is a family residence and be respectful of the neighborhood, parking and other guests.
This is exactly the kind of local tradition that gives Chula Vista its personality: a family invests weeks of work simply because they enjoy Halloween and want to share it with their neighbors.
Source: The Star-News, October 17, 2026.
