Peterborough & The Kawarthas Tourism

The Walking Dead premiered last weekend. AMC is running their Fear Fest. It’s the spookiest time of the year, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas is the place to be. What fun frights are you looking forward to? There are certain things that are crucial to surviving (and enjoying) the Halloween festivities. While there are certain destinations you will be wanting to avoid – like Haddenfield, Elm Street, Amityville and Transylvania – Peterborough & the Kawarthas is a choice filled with fun for all ages – providing you stay away from the Crystal Lake Area.

We have taken the liberty of putting together a list of things you will need to survive the lead up to Halloween this year:

1) The Best Pumpkin

Jack O’Lanterns play a crucial role (in tradition at least) in protecting your home from the Walking Dead. You can pick up your pumpkin to carve at McLean’s Berry Farm where they will be hosting their annual Pumpkin Festival on weekends leading up to Halloween with a haunted barn, corn maze, hayrides and more. You can also pick up your pumpkin at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market or at other farm markets throughout the City & County of Peterborough. Have a creative Kawarthas-inspired pumpkin please share it with us on Facebook.

2) Get Lost Here

Its important to have great situational awareness to survive – look at Jamie Lee Curtis in all of those “Halloween” Movies. The Annual Keene Pumpkin Festival features a corn maze (amongst many other things) perfect for training your ability to navigate your from danger.

3) All Dressed Up

Looking for a place to perfectly outfit yourself on the night of ghouls and goblins? Check out great local costume stores like K and C Costumes and Costume King. You can also check out our many second-hand stores.

4) A Scary Story

Is it a a ghastly fact? Or a ghostly fiction? You decide. Trent Valley Archives will be offering their annual Fact or Fiction Ghost Walk, October 25, 27, 29 & 30 – learn a little bit about Peterborough’s past as you tour through historic downtown Peterborough.

5) Protect the Little Ones

Looking for something a little more family-friendly and little less frightening? Check out the Spooky Halloween happenings at Lang Pioneer Village (October 19 & 20, 26 & 27) where you can feel your goose bumps rise as you approach the Lair of the Wicked Witch of the West. Ever wonder what your future holds? Have your palm read by a mysterious fortune teller and see for yourself. Listen in as Widow Grondin tells of the origins of Halloween and some eerie Canadian tales. Have a grossly good time selecting a delicacy to eat in the Weird Science Lab of Dr. BlabbityBlah and Chef LaDeeDa. Witness the phantom waltz at Milburn Manor and win a prize at the Creepy Carpenter Shop when you play a gruesome fishing game.

Haunted Halloween at Hutchison House Museum is also a great day of family fun.

6) A Little Thrill(er)

Halloween Bashing & Monster Mashing might be on your agenda this Halloween. Whether you’re a new student at Fleming College or Trent University or visiting Peterborough for the weekend – there are parties going on at some of Peterborough’s hottest nightclubs. Head up to The Junction – where they will be giving away $1000 in costume prizes. The Venue is sure to have something rocking for the most frighteningly fabulous weekend of the year. And Peterborough’s newest nightclub space, ARIA will be hosting their “Thriller Zombie Party”.

Have fun this Halloween – and remember – don’t stop to check to see that monsters are really dead, claim you’ll be “right back”, and make sure that your mask does not reduce your visibility – and always check your kids’ Halloween candy. Happy Halloween!

**NOTE** New this year, there will be a new event taking place on Hunter Street: Come down to Haunted Hunter Street in your scariest costume and view the Hallowe’en decorated windows! Includes two Zombie Walks (family-friendly, and one a little scarier later in the evening.)

Activities for Families are from 2pm – 5pm including face painting, “make your own pizza”, pumpkin carving and decorating, and trick or treating at participating businesses.

Lots of other festivities on the street are planned for the day, including a family friendly Zombie Walk from 4-6pm. In the evening take part in the Zombie Walk for United Way (PWYC) at 7pm followed by a Zombie Street Party from 8-10pm.

You are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for Kawartha Food Share.