Happy Halloween, UpFront Ottawa readers! Don’t forget, not only is tomorrow the first day of November, but remember to set your clocks back overnight on Saturday for the end of daylight saving time. As always, here are some fun and exciting events happening this weekend in Ottawa:
Redblacks versus Tiger Cats
The Ottawa Redblacks play their final home game of their inaugural season tonight at TD Place Stadium. Following a tough 23-17 loss to the Montreal Alouettes last week, the Redblacks are still searching for their third win of the season. The 7-9 Hamilton Tiger Cats won’t make the pursuit easy, however. As the season winds down with the Redblacks officially eliminated from the playoff picture, this game is all about playing for pride, putting on a good show for the fans, and building toward next season.
Incident at the Bunker: A Zombie Adventure!
Even though Halloween is on Friday night, you can still get your craving for the undead satisfied at the Diefenbunker on Saturday. Carp’s labyrinthine Cold War Museum hosts this interactive adventure, with storytelling, interactive challenges, and a whole bunch of spook. It is not recommended for children under 12, but for teens and adults it’s a great experience. The tours will run from 2-5pm on Saturday afternoon, so don’t miss your chance to book a slot.
Haunting Season
This weekend is the final chance to experience the fun and fright of Saunders Farm Haunting Season. By day, it’s a family-friendly destination with wagon rides, pumpkin patch hayrides and a variety of mazes with increasing difficulty. There is also a barn of terror and a haunted hayride, and while they’re not recommended for children under 10 they can provide age-appropriate scares. But by nighttime, the farm transforms into Fright Fest, with spine-chilling activities at the Barn of Terror, Shambles, Camp Slaughter, the Graveyard Zone and a terrifying Haunted Hayride. It’s the last weekend, so don’t miss it!
PumpkINFERNO
This outdoor exhibition at Upper Canada Village is worth the trip. Visit for a nighttime stroll to see more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins depicting animals, mythical creatures, historical events and time periods, timeless story characters, and more. This is a true visual and artistic delight and a joy for all ages, but this is the final weekend to witness the glowing spectacle. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children and seniors.
Orleans Christmas Craft Show
In all the Halloween excitement, it’s hard to believe this weekend also features the first Christmas Craft Show of the year. The event, presented by the Capital Artisans Guild, runs on Saturday and Sunday at Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School. Over 60 of the area’s most celebrated artistans and craftmakers will display and sell hand-made items that make great Christmas decorations or gifts. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items.
Enjoy the weekend, UpFront readers!