Here's a list of all the top spots to visit around the Thomspon-Okanagan to fill up on fall goodies, get spooked and find that perfect picture opportunity.
Image Credit: INSTAGRAM / Riley Henderson Photo
October 05, 2019 - 6:00 AM
Here’s a roundup of all the best places in Kamloops and the Okanagan to check out during upcoming fall road trips, so you can get your fix for all things terrifying, pumpkin-spiced, and photo-worthy.
KAMLOOPS
If you find yourself in the Kamloops area in the fall season, here’s a few places you can get your haunt on.
Tranquille Farm Fresh sits on what was once a hospital for tuberculosis patients and then became a psychiatric hospital. They run theatrical tunnel escape rooms and other events during the month, and will offer a family friendly 8-acre corn maze from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Oct. 26, 27, and 28. You can check out more about these events on their website.
Another spot to check out in Kamloops is the Sunset Valley Farm, located at 3275 Tranquille Road. There is a family-friendly corn maze, pumpkin patch, and hayrides. This year, the pumpkin patch will host the Field of Screams which will have a carnival freakshow theme, and feature a life-sized jack-in-the-box, carnival tents full of terror, and a creepy corn maze. The event is not suited for children or those who are easily scared. The event runs on select dates from Oct. 9 through to the 30th. Tickets for each maze are $15, $25 for both mazes and group passes are also available.
There are plenty of family-friendly events in Kamloops, such as the downtown zombie walk on Oct. 26 and events at the B.C. Wildlife Park. You can bring the whole family for Haunt For Humanity, a haunted house for charity or keep the kids at home and check out the spookier late-night version with live actors. The Kamloops Heritage Railway will put on their family-friendly Trick or Treat Train, which includes a visit to the pumpkin patch. Click here to learn more about these events and others.
This photo taken at the 2018 Kamloops zombie walk shows Chevonne Oginski and her son Owen, 3, who crashed the march dressed as zombie hunters. Chevonne holds Owen as he watches Una Connor walk by in costume.
(SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)
VERNON
You can check out a Field of Screams event in Vernon at the Historic O’Keefe Ranch at 9380 Highway 97. This year, the ranch will take on a Grimms Fairytale theme, with a terrifying twist on classic fairy tales such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Alice in Wonderland, and Rapunzel. The freaky festivities start on Oct. 4 and run until Oct. 30. Tickets for each maze are $15, $35 for all three mazes and group passes are also available.
Another spot to check out in Vernon is the Davison Orchard Country Village. After searching for the perfect pumpkin, you can grab a bite at their cafe and taste the goodness of fresh apple cider, pumpkin flavoured goodies, and more. Every weekend this month you can get on board the tractor ride and go pick the perfect pumpkin. If you can make it out between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 6, you can score a free family photo as well. If you’re into gigantic gourds, there will be a giant pumpkin competition on Oct. 19.
KELOWNA
If you want to get into all things autumn in Kelowna, check out local favourite McMillan Farms. There is a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch, of course, but there's also a few other activities unique to the farm. You can try your hand at shooting gourds or apples out of a slingshot, get lost in the corn maze, and get the perfect picture in their new sunflower area. For the kids, there's a kid-friendly hay bale maze and a petting zoo where you can get friendly with llamas, donkeys, pigs, pygmy goats and more.
From Oct. 25 to 31, you won't want to miss Paul Coxe's Haunted House on Grenfell Road. Admission is with a donations to the food bank but this is truly a labour of love for Coxe and his friends and neighbours. Coxe is going through a tough time right now, but organizers say this fourth year will once again be new and better than ever.
Check out the family-friendly Uptown Rutland Scarecrow Festival on Oct. 6, with food trucks, entertainment, an outdoor market, crafting stations, face-painting, a live scarecrow building. The event takes place in the Rutland’s Lion’s Park from noon until 4 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Take part in a world-wide dance celebration on Oct. 29 at Stuart Park in Kelowna. Zombie wannabes around the world will partake in the classic routine as part of Thrill The World, with the event in Kelowna running from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Here's a clip of a Thrill The World event in Los Angeles that aimed to break a world record.
BONUS EVENT FROM OFF THE BOARD: There is a tombstone cleaning workshop in Kelowna’s historic Memorial Park Cemetery, if that's your thing. We doubt this is a Halloween event but they did organize it in October, so.... Essentially, landmarks for the historical figures buried there have weathered and overgrown the tombstones and the cemetery manager is welcoming people to learn how to properly restore these tombstones. You might want to leave your costume at home, though. The hands-on activity takes place on Oct. 5 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Credit: YOUTUBE / Mahdroo
PENTICTON
For those celebrating the spooky season in Penticton, you can take part in the downtown zombie walk on Oct. 26, with zombies staggering in at 1 p.m. The walk starts at Starbucks at 202 Main Street in Penticton. There will be awards for best group, individual, and child costumes.
For those who want to get a spooky boogie on, check out the All Hallow’s Eve Silent Disco on Nov. 1 at Bench 1775 Winery at 1775 Naramata Road. Attendees are given a pair of wireless headphones, and music from the live DJ is streamed into each headset. The $30 ticket will get you shuttle service to and from Penticton Lakeside Resort and a complimentary drink. Wine and beer will be available, and prizes for best costumes as well.
Who did we miss? Let us, and all our readers know, in the comments below. We'll update this story later this month with new submissions.
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