How Saunders Farm, Cannamore Orchard are putting the ‘AH!’ back in Ottawa this Halloween season

Halloween attractions are putting the scare back in Ottawa this year as they reopen for another season — this time, though, with more to offer after last year's iffy season thanks to COVID.

And already, ticket sales at two of Ottawa's popular Halloween attractions for the current season — Saunders Farm (who is celebrating their 30th season) and Cannamore Orchard — are among one of the best years they've recently had, the two farms told CityNews Ottawa. 

In fact, for Cannamore Orchard, who says they've had their best year in 2020 despite the pandemic, ticket sales are up over 20 per cent this year — and the season isn't even done yet. 

“In the nighttime, there might be 100 or 120ish sort of thing, when in previous years we could have 600 to 1,000 at a time,” manager Dennis Taylor says. “But because of COVID protocols last year and this year, we have had timed entries.” 

But this isn't necessarily a bad thing for customers either because that means shorter lineups.

“In previous years, to get on the wagon ride, there may have been a lineup that had 350 or 400 people in it and wait for over an hour, similar with the haunted house and village. But with the timed entries, you can be in and out of here in like an hour or so with no lineups, but you can still stay the same amount of time here.” 

While both farms were open last year, they were limited with what they could offer the public because of the pandemic. This year, however, the two farms say visitors can expect a year more like 2019 (before the pandemic).

But COVID protocols will need to be followed by both visitors and employees, like wearing masks and physically distancing. 

A mask is required for all indoor settings but are not required for the outdoors — although, Mark Saunders, director of fun at Saunders Farm, has noticed that people have chosen to wear their masks outside anyways.

“That said, we're seeing most people walk around with their mask on,” Saunders says. “It keeps you a little bit warmer and our staff are wearing masks when they're working, including all of our performers. That's just giving us another layer of safety.”

Both guests and employees are also required to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination upon entry at both Cannamore and Saunders. 

“We're operating at about 50 per cent capacity on the farm to ensure distancing, spacing and everything else,” Saunders explains. “Guests also have to book their tickets in advance and also have to be fully vaccinated to come onto the farm.” 

But that won't impact the fun for fans of the farm.

“The haunt experience will be as normal as you remember, which is — you know — not normal at all,” Saunders chuckles. “The scares, the actors and performers in the live shows and street theatres and all that are all vaccinated, which we're thrilled about.”

This year just means there's an added layer of protection for guests to ensure safety, so some attractions have had to be tweaked.

“We didn't remove any attractions at all,” Taylor says. “But in the haunted house, actors are behind plexiglass or plastic to keep them removed from customers.” 

Haunted hay rides will have riders limited at both farms and with be one of the few outdoor attractions where visitors will have to wear masks. While for years the hayride would take on 30 riders, this year that will be cut in half to ensure distancing and safety.

While the season has already started, there are still tickets available — but Saunders says to get them before they're gone, especially if you're thinking about visiting on their most popular night of the year: Halloween.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Saunders Farm and Cannamore Orchard.

Happy Halloween!