The spirit of Halloween will descend upon Haliburton County over the weekend, with a series of hauntingly horrifying events springing to life in the Highlands.
There’s fun for the whole family Oct. 25 to 27 – helping to hype up kids in advance of the annual trick or treat extravaganza.
It all kicks off Friday with the much-anticipated return of the Halloween Haunted Trail at Abbey Gardens, and Haunted Forest Walk in Minden. These outdoor dusk-time events take the public on a terrifying journey through nature – with a few jump scares along the way.
Abbey Gardens says it’s, “levelling up the scares with new scenes and new scares” during this year’s event. The walk runs Oct. 25 and 26 between 7 and 9 p.m. Staff will be on-site maneuvering people through the dark trails surrounded by dense forest. Small groups will be granted entry every five minutes. No reservations necessary.
The experience is open to all ages but be warned – there are lots of jump scares. Tickets are $10 and available online at abbeygardens.ca.
Rachael and Allan Velkovski are once again welcoming the public to participate in the Haunted Forest Walk, which runs Oct. 25 to 27, 7 to 9:30 p.m. at their sprawling property at 1043 Turntable Dr.
The Velkovskis say the event is geared towards older children – not recommending it for anyone 10 and under. Cost is $3 per person, with all proceeds going to local charities.
The Minden Hills Cultural Centre will be abuzz Oct. 26, with a flurry of frighteningly fabulous activities planned at the Heritage Village and Nature’s Place Interpretive Centre throughout the day.
As well as enjoying spooky decorations, hands-on crafts, Halloween games, pumpkin carving, and colouring, attendees can enjoy a scary storytime at the Minden library between noon and 12:30 p.m.; participate in a costume parade at 1 and 4:30 p.m.; learn how to bust a move like a sorcerer during dance workshops by Dance Happens Here Haliburton at 1:30 and 4 p.m.; and tour a paranormal haunted house at 5 p.m.
Pockets the Clown will be doing face painting from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 4 to 6 p.m., while the Friends of the Haliburton County Public Library will host a sci-fi/thriller book sale throughout the day.
There will be prizes awarded for pumpkin carving, costume parades, and colouring sheet contests. Admission is by donation.
Other events:
• Pumpkin carving Oct. 24, 6 – 7 p.m. Dorset Recreation Centre. $6 per person.
• Walkabout Farm warped woods Halloween show Oct. 27, 1 – 5 p.m.
• Happy Halloween trash or treat event, Scotch Line landfill, Oct. 31, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
• Halloween trunk or treat Oct. 31, Haliburton Chrysler, 5 – 7 p.m.
