When in Stratford, Ontario, be sure to go on the Ghosts of Stratford Theatrical Walking Tours' summer tours and haunted pub tours, which meander through Stratford's streets and parks by one or two spirits in full costume and makeup...but for Halloween, they go all out!

Photo: Nicholas Russon

Join the Ghosts of Stratford for a special Halloween Edition: a look at the city's history from the "Other Side".  As darkness falls, costumed guides will appear to lead you on a candlelit tour through the ghostly and ghastly events of Stratford's past. Stories, music, jokes, riddles, and macabre vignettes will haunt your dreams. Tours run in gloomy or rainy weather, so please dress appropriately (costumes are welcome!) and join them....if you dare!

Memory

Dates for this year's walk are Fri.Oct.25, Sat.Oct.26, Tues.Oct.29 and Wed.Oct.30 – all at 8 pm.

The Halloween tours are led by Dr. Emmanuel Blood and his assistant, doctor-in-training Zephyr Darkwood. They recount tales of Stratford's dark and haunted past during a walk through the atmospheric park area surrounding Gallery Stratford, starting on Delamere Avenue at the entrance to Arboretum Park.

Dr. Blood

These two ghostly characters are supported by a number of additional apparitions and sprits (approximately 25 this year), performed by actors from Playmakers! Theatre School. The appartitions are also in full costume and makeup: they can be seen lurking at a distance, or closing in to offer the audience riddles and vignettes that add to the creepy atmosphere. 

Orphans

Stories include Henry Derry, Stratford's own headless wanderer who is known to walk the riverbanks frightening tourists; MacPherson House, residence of the "home children" from the U.K. (not all of whom have actually left the premises, according to the owners); the exorcism that chased away a very helpful ghost named Anna while the owners of her abode were away on vacation (she's back now, thankfully!); and the haunting of Stratford's "new" jail (1885) by Almede Chattelle, who was convicted, hanged and buried there, in an unmarked grave (his remains were discovered during renovations in 2011) for the notorious murder of Jessie Keith.

Mr. Derry

And, of course, join Ghosts of Stratford Theatrical Walking Tours tours in 2020:

Summer: Stroll with Euphemia and Edward Elphinstone on the God's Acre tour: selected Saturday evenings in July & August

Fall: Pubs, Pilsners & SPIRITS Tours: selected Thursday evenings in October/November.

Learn more: 
https://www.makers.ca/ghost-tours
https://www.facebook.com/ghostsofstratford/

And click here for more of our Stratford recommendations! 

All photos copyright Terry McKenna, except where noted.