What better way to celebrate Halloween in rural Ontario than a stroll through a haunted farm? These events have been cropping up a lot lately, and it’s no wonder they’re such a hit! From hay rides through haunted forests to creepy cornfields cut into mazes, these frightening features can be appreciated at any age. In fact, many are geared toward an older crowd and not recommended for young children. Here’s a list of a few happening across the province that you may want to check out. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight!
Snyders Family Farm
What: Self-proclaimed as Kitchener-Waterloo’s most exciting Halloween destination, the Snyders Family Farm hosts a number of haunts, which include “Night Stalkers,” a tromp through a haunted cornfield, courtyard, carnival and forest; the “Trail of Darkness Hayride,” which brings you across 30 acres of haunted terrain; and the 100-year-old “Barn of Fear.” According to the Snyders Family Farm website, making it through the entire haunted barn without escaping through the “chicken exit” is a “rite of passage.” Not sure if you can handle any of these? The farm also hosts 15 other fun activities sure to be more family friendly.
When: Every weekend in October.
Where: 936685 Blenheim Rd., Bright, Ont.
More information: Fear Farm or Snyders Family Farm
Norwich Optimist Corn Maze
What: While this corn maze is open every weekend in October, it’s only on the last two Saturdays of the month that it becomes haunted. While details of what exactly you’ll find in the maze can’t be revealed (it’s a surprise!) it’s hardly kid stuff. In fact, the farm’s website warns that it is designed to scare, and isn’t suitable for young children. Kids can, however, enjoy one of the many outdoor movie nights happening throughout the month as well as Trick-or-Treat day at the maze, held on Saturday, October 27.
When: Every weekend in October.
Where: Hwy 59 just 2 miles north of Norwich, Ont.
More information: Norwich Optimist Corn Maze
Belmont Corn Maze
What: The Belmont Corn Maze can be found close to London, Ontario, not far from Highway 401. The regular corn maze is made up of 5 km of twists and turns, though there’s a completely separate trail that becomes haunted in mid-October. Planning on heading out with a large group? This corn maze offers group bookings, so you can reserve a time to trek through the field and even score a discounted price. While the maze has been cut into a variety of impressive patterns over the years, this year the farm partnered with Fanshawe College and Habitat for Humanity, incorporating both of their logos into the trails.
When: Fridays and Saturdays in October, beginning on Saturday, October 13th.
Where: 46614 Crossley-Hunter Line, RR #1, Belmont, Ont.
More information: Belmont Corn Maze
Hanes Corn Maze
What: Located Northwest of Hamilton, the Hanes Corn Maze has been around for more than a decade and offers a new maze carved into 20 acres of cornstalks each year. The haunted maze is open every night in October. For those who are less interested in getting their adrenaline pumping, the farm also offers a regular corn maze complete with various checkpoints and pumpkin picking from their patch, starting in late-September.
When: October, seven days a week.
Where: #1001 Hwy #5, Dundas, Ont.
More information: Hanes Corn Maze
The Phantom Farm
Located north of Port Hope, The Phantom Farm offers a number of haunted attractions. Complete with a haunted graveyard, barn and forest, The Phantom farm is not recommended for young children and is “designed to scare the heck out of anybody.” Enter the graveyard and you’ll have to make it past a few men carrying chainsaws, though there’s also the option to venture into the ghoulish 4000-square-foot barn or take a hayride through the forbidden forest.
When: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, beginning on October 5th.
Where: North of Port Hope on Hwy #28 to Hamilton Township 5th Line.
More information: The Phantom Farm
Gammondale Farm
Located in the centre of the Slate River Valley just south of Thunder Bay, the Gammondale Farm offers a variety of activities throughout fall and winter, including a haunted cornfield. Like many of the other haunted farms, it’s not recommended for young children. At the end of your journey through the cornfield and barn, you can enjoy some food at the farm’s Road Kill Café. The Gammondale Farm assures that the attractions do not include gore, so you should have no trouble stomaching a late-night snack.
When: Fridays and Saturdays in October, beginning on October 12th.
Where: 426 McClusky Drive, Slate River, Ont.
More information: Gammondale Farm
