One-Tank Trip for
Oct. 22-16
By Jim Fox
Take
a bow pumpkins, you cultivar of a squash plant and considered to be a fruit.
A type of winter
squash, pumpkins have been made into jack-o’-lanterns as in the Irish tradition
since their discovery in the St. Lawrence region by French explorer Jacques
Cartier.
They star this
month in such events as Pumpkinferno, Lego Halloween Brick or Treat, Stratford’s
Pumpkin Trail and Pick of the Patch provincial park pumpkin carvings.
 |
| A
gaggle of jack-o’-lanterns at Pumpkinferno at Haunted Harbour. |
Pumpkinferno
Haunted Harbour (also known as Discovery Harbour) is at 93 Jury Drive in
Penetanguishene Thursdays through Sundays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Oct. 30.
It promises this
year to have “more terror” and “double the scenes and scares.”
Organizers say visitors
will “experience the phenomenon of hauntingly magical and stirring outdoor
exhibits of hand-carved pumpkins, all set against the night-time backdrop of
Discovery Harbour.”
Beware, though, as
“new characters will be lurking about in the expanded Terror Zone.”
Each year, the only
survivors of a pumpkin curse dating back to 1815 are the evil spirits that
reappear to defend the site against the rise of Pumpkinferno.
 |
| A fiery dragon made
of pumpkins is guarding Haunted Harbour. |
The harbour traces
its roots to the original British naval and military base in Penetanguishene
built to safeguard access to Upper Canada after the War of 1812.
The Terror Zone is
not recommended for children younger than 12 as “it’s an absolutely amazing
scare zone if you dare to enter.”
There is a maze for
younger children to enjoy, crafts and a refreshment stand along with a small
retail area.
The wearing of
masks is not allowed in the park.
Admission costs $8 with
a non-perishable food item; free for children to age five.
discoveryharbour.on.ca; (705)
549-8064
Pumpkin building
Lego fans are
getting some assistance in building pumpkins for Halloween at home.
Master Model
Builder Noel Straatsma from the Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto is getting
into the spirit by putting together
a step-by-step tutorial slideshow for kids.
 |
| Halloween building
at the Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto. |
“Every Saturday and Sunday this month, including
Halloween day, little ghosts and mummies can also experience themed decor,
spooky entertainment, costume contests, building contests, scavenger hunts and
much more at the Discovery Centre,” said publicist Stephen Murdoch.
The Halloween Brick-or-Treat
attractions include a haunted display challenge, spooky creative build, monster
mash scavenger hunt in Toronto Miniland and a boo crew costume contest.
Visitors can also
jump inside the “world’s spookiest box of Lego bricks.”
The centre is at 1
Bass Pro Mills Drive in Vaughan, off Highway 400 north of Toronto.
Stratford’s
happy trails
Hop on the Savour
Stratford Pumpkin Trail as culinary artisans and shopkeepers invite visitors to
sample their fall pumpkin flavours.
This self-guided
seasonal trail is available through Oct. 31 and includes a choice of six of the
14 locations on the personalized tour.
 |
| Picking out that
perfect pumpkin along the Savour Stratford Pumpkin Trail. |
Trail passports
cost $25 and provide an opportunity to savour pumpkin cupcakes, creamy pumpkin
fudge and pumpkin pie spice brittle.
There is also pumpkin
frozen yogurt, seasonal chef-made pumpkin desserts, craft beer, spiced tea and
coffee.
Shops also have pumpkin
scented natural soaps, decorative flameless pumpkin candles and fall napkins.
The pumpkin trail
is “a fun way to spend your day out in Stratford,” said
Kristin Sainsbury, executive director of the Stratford Tourism
Alliance. visitstratford.ca/pumpkintrail;
1-800-561-7926.
Boo, who?
Hearty families who
are still camping at Ontario Parks are welcome to decorate their campsites,
dress in costume and shell out candy to trick-or-treaters for Halloween.
Algonquin Provincial Park has a weekend of
activities on Oct. 28 and 29.
 |
| Some spooky campers
at Bronte Provincial Park. (Ontario Parks photo) |
The fun begins on
Friday night with a “surprise new activity” and then on Saturday, a naturalist
at the visitor centre will guide visitors through “an amazing collection of
animal skeletons dating back 100 years.”
At the Mew Lake
Campground, a spider wiener and marshmallow roast is planned along
with Pick of the Patch pumpkin carving and contests for the spookiest campsite
and best costume.
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