Seasonal holidays give Fort William Historical Park an opportunity to prove it is much more than just a fur trade outpost.
Marty Mascarin, communications officer at the Fort William Historical Park, said events like the second annual Kid’s Halloween Hoot help the attraction gain a following beyond just their traditional activities.
“The fort is a multi-component tourist attraction,” Mascarin explained in the middle of the Halloween Hoot festivities in the park on Sunday.
“Certainly the heritage program is the core of our offerings, but we have diversified over the years and worked on events such as this and the Haunted Fort Night and other events during the summer.”
The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. on every weekend throughout the month of October, and offers activities such as storytelling, crafts, games and a rivalry between a good witch and an evil witch.
With Halloween quickly approaching children have gotten a head start on the celebration and some extra use out of their attire.
“The kids have really gotten into it. Almost every little kid that’s out here is in a costume and some of them are just so cute,” Mascarin said.
“It’s a nice way for them to see what Halloween is all about.”
The Halloween Hoot also gives kids a safe setting to take part in different Halloween themed activities, Mascarin added.
The event is dependent upon the work of staff members to provide entertainment while being in their character.
The two stars of the afternoon are Mayweather, the good witch, and Esmerelda, the evil witch.
Mascarin said this is the second year for the actors in the characters, and they have developed some rich nuances to their performances.
“Both witches are real characters, and the kids will really enjoy them,” he said.
Mascarin said the ability to have indoor components of the events makes the fort a great destination on days with less than ideal weather.
He added the increased flexibility allows them to get through cold and wet days like Sunday.
“One of the advantages of the site is we do have a number of buildings where people can find shelter where it’s lit and warm to get out of the elements,” he said.
This is not the only Halloween themed at the park, as their annual Haunted Fort Night series continues to run.
Other than Sunday, next weekend is the last opportunity to get a tour of the frightful side of the park. Mascarin said tickets are in short supply, as the final weekend is usually a quick sellout.
