Saturday night, Oct. 25 saw the 9th Annual Halloween Haunted Fort come to life at Fort Battleford National Historic Site with record-breaking attendance.
The weather certainly co-operated with plus temperatures and a cool brisk wind that only seemed to add to the creepiness of the evening. More than 660 people showed up for a frightful evening.
This event takes several days to prepare and relies heavily on the volunteers who help set it up, perform the night of the event and help clean up afterward. Without the generosity and commitment of volunteers, Fort Battleford would not be able to present this unique event for the members of the community.
The Fort has had many volunteers who have literally grown up doing this program and who have that fright factor down to a science. The Fort staff acknowledges all volunteers for their tireless efforts in making this program such a success. This year Guy and Tammy Turcotte generously loaned many of their family's Halloween props for the event.
Setting up the historic buildings is a labour of love for staff and volunteers. Although all appreciate the history that this site is famous for, Halloween is an opportunity to step outside that historic box and do something completely different. The day of the event is filled with finishing touches on the decorations and lighting and getting everyone fixed up with the appropriate makeup for the role they are playing. The board room in the visitor centre looks more like a Hollywood makeup studio than a meeting place.
The Friends of Fort Battleford demonstrate tireless commitment to the site and its programs. For the Halloween Haunted Fort, the Friends of Fort Battleford offered age appropriate guests a beer gardens and there were snacks and refreshments for everyone. This is a group of volunteers who have been partnered with Fort Battleford for many years.
The organizers also appreciate the support of those who attended the event. This year folks came from as far away as Calgary and Edmonton, Alta. and Val Marie, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Meadow Lake. But the majority of guests were from right here in our own community, which is what organizers hope for the most! Thank you for supporting this and other special events at Fort Battleford National Historic Site.
Staff and volunteers look forward to another successful visitor season in 2015!
See you at the Fort!
