THUNDER BAY – Our Kids Count and the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay are teaming up to host the Haunted Harbour event with support of Jones Insurance.
Wally Peterson, chairman of the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay, said the event was started in 2015 with the goal of trying to preserve the transportation history of Thunder Bay, adding it helps cover costs too.
“The fundraising aspect helps us pay our bills. And the other aspect is to raise awareness that we're here. We're kind of tucked away and getting people down through the construction zone of the art gallery is a little tough.
“It just raises awareness that we're down here at Pool Six.”
Marica Arpin, executive director for Nanabijou Child Care Centre and creative director of All the Daze Productions, said she is excited to come back to Haunted Harbour for the sake of families and children.
“For the space that I'm involved in, it is called the Family Days and we're overarching it with the theme of witches brew. It is geared to all ages. We have had children as young as two and those that are in the double digits and tweens participate and have just as much fun.
“It's a daytime event so that they can be here from anytime from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. and really engage in many activities, including a tour of the ship, but expand on some of those other activities besides the tour.”
Arpin said the goal is to set up an immersive activity area so that they can engage in arts and crafts painting.
“There will be carnival games, with frog tosses and witches brews and all other such novelty items. A few little spooky things along the way. Face painting is always a popular event. We're actually going to host a karaoke and dance party, too.”
Jon Hansen, creative director with Q8 productions, said they’ve decided to go back to their roots and focus more on the ‘spook scare.’
“I think the beauty of it is, being scared is fun. People enjoy that, people love this spook and the Alexander Henry is a fantastic backdrop for that. It’s a local event, it supports charities.”
Hansen said there is a group of about 20 volunteers that put this on.
“Come out if you dare, if you want to be spooked, if you want to be scared, this is the place.”
Jackie Knough, executive director of Our Kids Count, said they have been making improvements each year.
“Our Kids Count definitely relies on our community sponsors and donations and our fundraising events. This event last year raised over $20,000 which goes directly to supporting families in the community.
“We run a lot of programs at Our Kids Count all around cooking in the kitchen and teaching families’ different tools on supporting their children as well as pre postnatal programs. We do a lot at our kids count."
Knough said the money raised these events go directly to support those families.
“Tickets are being launched today at 1 p.m. Last year tickets sold out pretty quickly. So, if you are interested in being a part of this year's, scares, you're going to want to get your tickets as soon as possible.
“Tickets are sold in groups of six. You can get one ticket up to six, depending on the size of your party. Tickets are $25 for the adult tours and $15 for the family days.
Knough said it’s important to note children over six are allowed on the ship.
Haunted Harbour will be held on Sept. 27, 28, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. You can choose to come between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. for a spooky experience, or you can choose the full scare experience by purchasing tickets for after 8 p.m.
The ‘witches brew’ family event will be on Sept. 28 and Oct. 12.
Find more information on the Haunted Harbour here.
