Mask on and lights out
By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor
Autumn is in full swing, and October’s spooky season has begun. Now that we’re starting to settle into our hectic schedules in the real world, it’s time to get some air post-being-cooped-up-for-half-the-year. Please do practice safety measures to protect yourself and those around you from COVID!
PNE’s Slayland
The Pacific National Exhibition is hosting this year’s “Slayland—Night of a Thousand Screams,” with all the fun of normal PNE horror nights—without the haunted houses. This time around there will be a horror-themed walkthrough, all the most popular rides you know and love, a drive-thru trick-or-treat experience, and for the first time ever, guests can wear costumes inside (just no face-covering masks or makeup!) The event will be held from October 9 to 31 starting at 6 pm and ending at 11 pm. Visit the PNE’s website for more information.
Haunted Corn Maze
Mann Farms in Abbottsford is one of the few haunted houses operating this year. With a kid-friendly pumpkin patch, to the spine-chilling haunted corn maze dubbed “Canada’s scariest corn maze,” this farm has something for everyone. The capacity has been reduced to 25 to 50 percent so everyone will have a much more intimate and scary experience. They’re only selling tickets online and they’re selling out quick, so purchase yours ASAP!
Pumpkin Patch
There are tons of pumpkin patches in the lower mainland, but a local favourite is Richmond Country Farms Pumpkin Patch. With food vendors, costumed mascots, wagon-ride entertainers, and an included pumpkin to take home, there’s nothing more Autumn-vibe than this! Tickets are available on their website.
Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours give a fantastic, guided journey through Vancouver neighbourhoods, detailing the gruesome history of local areas and landmarks. Guided by lamplight, this is the perfect spooky tour to view the city as an eerie place lurking with plenty of dark secrets. Tours will be held from October 13 to 30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For more info, visit their website.
Halloween Mystery Nights
Get your detective squad together (two to six players) and get ready to solve a murder mystery in the heart of downtown. Each team gets a kit containing everything they’ll need to solve the mystery. Go against other teams and see who’s really the Sherlock Holmes of Vancouver. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
There’s plenty of things to do in or out this fall, despite COVID regulations. With your close social bubble, you could always curl up and marathon scary movies at home. Try cooking or baking autumn treats, begin hand-making your costume, carve your pumpkins with friends, tell scary stories—the possibilities are endless! Now get out into that drive-thru and get your first pumpkin spice drink of the season!
