One-Tank Trip for Oct. 19/19
(c) By Jim Fox
Beware of things that go bump in the night,
especially at this time of year.
Ghoulies, ghosties
and long-legged beasties delight in scaring the wits out of mere mortals as all
hallows eve approaches on Oct. 31.
Tales of “haunted” places abound and the “bumps” denote ghosts or other
supposed supernatural beings, as the cause of unexplained or frightening noises
heard at night.
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| There are plenty of scary tales on the Ghosts of Stratford Theatrical Walking Tour. (Nicholas Russon photo) |
Numerous tours are held to get up close and personal with these ghosts
and supernatural beings.
If you “ain’t afraid of no ghosts,” London has its share of spooky
places from the Grand Theatre to the old courthouse, while Stratford
offers walking tours of its creepy in habitants.
The Ghosts of
Stratford Theatrical Walking Tour – Halloween Edition runs on Oct. 25, 26, 29and
30.
You meet ghostly
tour guides at the Birnam Wood Arboretum and from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. go haunting
on a candlelight tour.
The haunted pub
tour and others are led by one or two spirits in full costume and makeup – “but
for Halloween we go all out,” said Susan Kennedy, artistic director of the Playmakers
Theatrical School.
Upcoming tours
are led by Dr. Emmanuel Blood and his assistant, doctor-in-training Zephyr
Darkwood.
 |
| The Queen's Inn is a grand place to stay, even for ghosts. (Stratford Tourism) |
They recount tales of Stratford’s dark
and haunted past during a walk through the atmospheric park area surrounding
Gallery Stratford.
These ghostly
characters are supported by about 25 additional apparitions and sprits in full
costume and makeup.
Hear about Henry
Derry, a headless wanderer known to frequent the riverbank frightening tourists.
MacPherson House is
where “home children” from the United Kingdom haven’t all gone away.
There’s also the
haunting of the 1885 jail by Almede Chattelle who was hanged for the notorious
murder of Jessie Keith.
The Avon Theatre is
reputed to be haunted by the ghost of tycoon Ambrose Small, while the Grand
Theatre in London also claims he’s there, too.
“Patrons at the
Avon should definitely keep an eye out for a dapper gentleman in full Edwardian
evening dress, taking his seat as the lights go down,” said Kennedy. Details: makers.ca/ghost-tours
Boo who
Other ghostly sites
include Queen's Inn, a “grand place to stay” but where some guests simply
refuse to leave even though they’ve been dead for many years, said Cathy
Rehberg of Visit Stratford.
 |
| Ghosts are said to haunt Foster’s Inn in Stratford. (Stratford Tourism) |
Foster’s Inn has
its share of ghostly residents with heavy footsteps and crashing in a
closed-off kitchen are heard while in the tap room, a tiny elderly woman
dressed in black sometimes appears and then promptly disappears.
Ghosts have been
known to create mischief at the Parlour Fine Dining and Gastropub where the
most dreaded location is the basement.
Many employees
refuse to venture past the shadowy figure lurking about the doorway leading to
the cellar. visitstratford.ca
Other haunted haunts
- Historic St.
Thomas has its share of legends, myths and stories of spirits. Ghosts are said
to haunt Alma College, the courthouse, the old St. Thomas Church Graveyard,
Princess Avenue Playhouse, Sparta Tearoom and Wellington Street and Myrtle Street
schools. railwaycitytourism.com
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| See what lurks in the cornfield at Fear Farm in Waterloo Region. |
- Fright fanatics
are invited to “experience twice the terror in
Waterloo Region with a Haunted Weekend package. It includes admission to
two of the scariest attractions – Bingemans’ Screampark with four horrifying
houses, three execution rides and an escape room. Participants are chased by zombies,
go on ghost walks, visit a haunted corn maze and tour terrifying haunted
houses. There’s also Fear Farm and accommodations at Sunbridge Hotel &
Conference Centre. explorewaterlooregion.com
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For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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