Fort Fright, Pumpkinferno set to return for 2020 season

Each fall season St. Lawrence Parks Commission holds two popular events: Fort Fright, which takes place at Fort Henry National Historic Site here in Kingston; and Pumpkinferno, held at Upper Canada Village located in Morrisburg, Ontario.

These events will be taking place again this year, with increased safety measures including wearing masks, following physical distancing protocols, and online only ticket purchasing.

Details for each event are outlined below:

Fort Fright

Fort Fright is gearing up for a hauntingly good time this October. The creative team at Fort Henry National Historic Site has been hard at work preparing their spooky attraction through the spring and summer months.

In its 13th year of operation, Fort Fright is nearly ready to host fright fans with their brand new theme of “darkness.”

Haunt guests will soon be able to enjoy new and dismaying scares as they step into the unknown, read a media release dated Monday, Sept, 14, 2020. Mysterious creatures once hid – too frightening for the mind to bear – but no longer! What has been hidden for so long in these tunnels and chambers? You’re invited to find out.

“We are excited to scare up new thrills at Fort Henry this fall with Fort Fright as guests and local residents experience the vibrancy of our historic site through a new lens, ” said Kathryn Lowe, Manager of Fort Henry. “New additions to our event are sure to surprise and to haunt!”

Come embrace the dark side and see what lurks behind the shadows and walls of this old garrison. Five scary weekends await as doors open to the public on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.

Kingstonist writer Jessica Foley took her family for a scare last season. Read about their evening on her blog.

According to the release, Fort Henry is proud to do its part to ensure the local community may still celebrate Halloween this year in a fun, safe yet frightening experience. This is an opportunity to bring loyal fright fans and guests a much needed escape that they have been longing for.

New for 2020!

Introducing Terror Tuesdays – an outdoor movie screening in the lower Fort featuring horror films every Tuesday starting on September 29th and ending in October.

Movies will include Cabin in the Woods, Silent Hill, and Saw 1. Stay tuned to Fort Fright’s social media pages for a special selection for the final movie of the season.

Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. with movie beginning at 8 p.m. and a limit of 100 guests per screening. More details can be found on their website.

Pricing for Terror Tuesdays:

• General Admission: $10.00 per person plus HST

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, and will be available online only at www.FortFright.com to help promote a touchless ticketing experience. Those seeking a bit less of a frightful experience during Fort Fright may purchase a Safety Amulet for the cost of $5 to ward off direct scares and keep the Fort Fright scare-actors at a safe distance.

Before guests set off on their journey to Fort Fright, they must respect safety measures in place.

What Guests Need to Know:

• Tickets will be available online only at www.FortFright.com
• Upon arrival, guests should have tickets ready prior to reaching the admission gate to ensure smooth entry.
• Face covering or masks are mandatory throughout the entire Fort Fright experience for staff, guests and scare actors.
• All guests must follow physical distancing rules as mandated by the Ontario Government and staff will monitor and remind guests as necessary. 
• Timed ticketing is implemented to ensure groups are spaced out and to maintain a safe maximum capacity. 
• Signage onsite will communicate best practices and protocols so guests understand expected health and safety requirements in place.
• Programming has been modified to provide a touchless experience as much as possible. Where this is unavoidable, hand washing or sanitizing stations are available.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices are in place throughout the site.
• Guests will be required to self-assess their health and should not visit Fort Fright if there is a possibility that they may have contracted or have come into close contact with Covid-19.
• Fort Henry National Historic Site is located at 1 Fort Henry Drive, Kingston, Ontario

Pumpkinferno

Every fall, Upper Canada Village transforms into an enchanted wonderland with over 7,000 handcrafted glowing pumpkins. This year, Pumpkinferno is getting ready to captivate guests once again.

According to a media release, dated Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, this creative and artistic event launches Friday, Sept. 25th and will run until Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.

Upper Canada Village is reviving some of its most popular exhibits including Day of the Dead, Dragon’s Lantern Lair, Coins of the World, Night at the Gallery, Psychedelic Sixties, Enchanted Forest, Steampunk Station and many more. Guests will be mesmerized by the one-of-a-kind and whimsical creations at this all-ages event.

“We are keen to reveal that Pumpkinferno is returning this season and look forward to showing off our spectacular displays once again,” said Upper Canada Village Manager Tracey Ogilby. “Our teams have been working diligently this season to ensure Pumpkinferno continues to deliver an exceptional guest experience even amidst our current situation.”

Kingstonist writer Jessica Foley visited Pumpkinferno last season. Read about her experience on her blog.

New for 2020!

Pumpkinferno will be open 7 nights a week with date and time-specific ticketing in place to ensure guests are able to maintain physical distancing protocols. A limited number of tickets will be available each night.

Hours of Operation:

• September 25 to October 18 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.    
• October 19 to October 31 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pricing:

• General Admission: $16.00 per person plus HST

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, and will available to purchase online only at www.Pumpkinferno.com. Tickets are being offered exclusively online to ensure nightly attendance is kept at safe levels, as well as to promote a touchless ticketing experience.

Accessibility Nights will be back this year and is the only exception to online purchases. Guests or groups with physical limitations can ride in the comfort of their own vehicles to view PumpkInferno on October 13th and 20th. Reservations must be made ahead, by calling 1-800-437-2233 or locally 613-543-4328.

About St. Lawrence Parks Commission
The St. Lawrence Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario, operates facilities stretching from Kingston to the Quebec border, including Upper Canada Village, Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site); Kingston Pen Tours, Skywood Eco Adventure, Crysler Park Marina, Upper Canada Golf Course, Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary and 14 campgrounds and beach day-use picnic areas including the Long Sault and 1000 Islands Parkway