Gabriel Newman stands outside the O'Keefe Ranch.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED: Historic O'Keefe Ranch
October 19, 2023 - 3:30 PM
History buffs, paranormal explorers and anyone who loves scary stories might want to take advantage of two ghostly offerings in Vernon this year, before its too late.
The Ghost Tours of Vernon have been captivating all ages for over two decades where participants walk through the downtown core hearing stories about the history of the historic buildings and rumoured paranormal activity.
“It’s a small town, we have a relationship to this place, the walking tours prompt stories from the audience, which makes it much richer,” said longtime host Mr. Gabriel David Sumegi Newman. “You never know what you’re going to hear and over the years little bits get added to the stories.”
Typically guided by Newman, this year the Ghost Tours of Vernon are led by Mr. Harris Robert Coe.
“Harris has an acting career and is quite the performer,” Newman said. “He loves dressing up and the macabre. He was the perfect person to bring onboard. The tours are presented very seriously but there is an element of a wink and nod, we have fun.”
Vernon resident and actor Harris Coe is a guide for the iconic Ghost Tours of Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Harris Coe/ Facebook
Next week Newman is guiding a different kind of tour at the Historic O’Keefe Ranch that focusses on the ranch and allows participants the opportunity to go into old buildings.
“I usually say it’s perfect for ages nine to 99,” he said. “There are no jump scares, severed heads or people running with chainsaws, it’s about story telling.”
Newman said he’s happy to focus on the O’Keefe Ranch tours but has enjoyed hosting the Ghost Tours of Vernon walk through downtown over the years.
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“I didn’t start out intending it to be a multigenerational tour but I have many people bringing their younger children on the tour because of how much they enjoyed it as teenagers,” he said. “It’s great to be part of the community experience that way, even though it makes me feel old. That’s the scariest part for me.”
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The haunted downtown tours will run until Saturday, Oct. 21. The tours leave from the steps of the Vernon museum at 7 p.m. each day. No reservations are necessary unless you want to book a private tour for 20 or more. Tickets are $10 cash.
Tours of the O’Keefe Ranch will run at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 29. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased here.
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