OttawaThe soggy weather that’s currently drenching eastern Ontario is no treat for Halloween event operators, but they say they have a few tricks up their sleeve. Heavy rain forced some local attractions to close ThursdayLiam Baker · CBC News · Posted: Oct 31, 2025 12:59 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesEnvironment Canada issued a rainfall warning for the Ottawa area Friday morning, but two eastern Ontario Halloween attractions are hoping to remain open Friday evening. (Jane Robertson/CBC)The soggy weather that’s currently drenching eastern Ontario is no treat for Halloween event operators, but they say they have a few tricks up their sleeve.Heavy rain on Thursday night forced some outdoor attractions to shut down, turning mysterious mazes and creepy cemeteries into real life ghost towns.”It’s not safe for patrons to be driving in this heavy rain downpour, and it’s not safe for our staff to be trying to make it to us when it’s raining like this,” said Vic Bakker, co-owner of Cannamore Orchards in Chrysler, Ont. “It’s the same thing at the end of the event when everybody’s trying to go home. It’s just not safe, so we’re not doing it.”The orchard hosts an annual Halloween event called Acres of Terror, which includes haunted wagon rides, a fog maze and a haunted house.Saunders Farm in Ottawa was also forced to close its outdoor FrightFest due to Thursday’s rain.Co-owner and “director of fun” Mark Saunders said ticket holders are being offered admission on Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather. If they’re unable to attend on those dates they will be issued a full refund.Mark Saunders is co-owner and ‘director of fun’ at Saunders Farm in Ottawa. (Trevor Pritchard/CBC)Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning early Friday morning and is predicting up to 25 millimetres in some areas. That’s in addition to more than 30 millimetres Thursday.Despite the forecast, both Saunders Farm and Cannamore Orchards are planning to open Friday, though Saunders said a planned drone show might not go ahead.”I think we’ll get a nice group of people. One last chance to get scared and enjoy the spooky season,” Saunders said.LISTEN | Ottawa corgis take over Sparks Street for a Halloween parade:Ottawa Morning6:30Ottawa corgis take over Sparks Street for a Halloween paradeFelix Chui and Kaman Law, and their friend’s corgi, Hachi, join us to speak on this weekend’s Halloween corgi parade.ABOUT THE AUTHORLiam Baker is an associate producer and reporter for CBC Ottawa. He also reports and produces stories on Inuit Nunangat for CBC Iqaluit. Previously, he’s reported for CBC Yukon, CBC Thunder Bay, CBC Toronto’s Enterprise unit. You can reach him at liam.baker@cbc.ca
Local Halloween haunts hoping wet weather won’t dampen Friday’s fun
