Highlights from Local Halloween Events
Story by Bonnie Schiedel, Photo by Darren McChristie
Halloween and all things pumpkin-related are way too popular to be confined to October 31, so we say bring on the festivities for the whole month! Whether you’re looking for family-style fun or serious shivers down your spine, these events have got you covered.
Haunted Fort Night
When: Every Thursday through Sunday in October, starting at 7 pm
Where: Fort William Historical Park
Cost: $15, reservations required
Ages: Recommended for 12+, with 18+ tours available
Scare yourself silly with a walk through a village that’s seen some mysterious carnage, complete with sound effects, fake blood, and fog machines. These popular tours run every 10 minutes and last between 60 and 90 minutes. Also available: fight zombies with paintball, sniper gallery-style ($5 for 50 balls).
25th Annual Pumpkinfest
When: Every Saturday and Sunday, September 28–October 27, 11 am–5 pm
Where: Gammondale Farm, 426 McCluskey Drive
Cost: $12, children under 2 are free
Ages: All ages
This TBay tradition offers more than 20 activities for kids and kids at heart, from visiting the Pumpkin Bakery, shooting a corn cannon, and exploring the “Boo Barn” to prowling through the two-acre corn maze and watching Canada’s largest pumpkin catapult, all against the beautiful backdrop of Candy Mountain in the Slate River Valley.
gammondalefarm.com/pumpkinfest
Terror in the Bay Film Fest
When: October 17–20, 7:35–11 pm
Where: MapleTops Paramount Entertainment Theatre, 24 South Court Street
Cost: Day pass $12 available at the theatre, four-day “platinum” pass for USD $24 available online
Ages: 19+
Now in its third year, this horror film fest has expanded to four days of spooky suspense and gross-out gore. More than 60 films will be screened, ranging from one-minute trailers to 90-minute feature-length films, representing almost every type of horror genre including horror comedy, slashers, supernatural, creature features, and slow burn psychological thrillers.
The Hunger 14
When: October 26, 9 pm–2 am
Where: 8 venues in downtown Port Arthur
Cost: $20 cover for entry to all venues, otherwise free to wander
Ages: 19+
Start planning your costume now (there’s prize money up for grabs) for the city’s epic music and performance art event. Roam the streets and stop in at eight downtown venues to take in more than 50 live acts featuring musicians, performers and DJs. More than 2,500 people attended last year!
definitelysuperior.com/the-hunger-14
Ghosts & Goblins in the Garden
When: October 26, 1:30–3:30 pm
Where: Centennial Botanical Conservatory, 1601 Dease Street
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Ages: All ages
The Conservatory becomes boo-tanical for an afternoon, decorated for Halloween and featuring a scavenger hunt, hot apple cider, and delicious baking amongst the lush tropical foliage and amethyst-encrusted waterfall.
