Face your fears of the dark in the river valley
Nights of horror in Fort Edmonton Park to evoke ghosts, monsters and even a cult
In a secluded part of Edmonton’s river valley, screams fill the hall from cages holding the would-be victims of a cult known as the Celebration of Undying Truth. What those victims don’t know is they may end up on the cult’s menu.
For the first time, Fort Edmonton Park has created an immersive night of horrors that invites visitors to face their fears in three separate haunts designed to terrify. The whole experience is called Dark.
“We wanted to create something that was so unique, not only to the region, but in scare events itself.” said Darren Dalgleish, president and CEO of Fort Edmonton Management Company during a recent preview for media.
Along with the haunts, there is also the Dark Circle, a gathering place near a fire where visitors can enjoy food and drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) while ghouls and spirits can be found creating the experience of a night among the dead and dying.
“We want to change the chemistry in peoples’ bodies, we want them to experience something and feel something that they’ll never forget,” said Dalgleish.
While in the circle, participants are presented with three choices of fear.
The first is the Dead Wedding, where people encounter the spectres who remain after a wedding party goes bad.
The second is Slaughter Pack, where local residents have to deal with werewolves who invade Edmonton.
Last but in no way least, A Taste of Eternity sends participants on a walk through the halls of a cult whose members are looking for new recruits in their quest for immortality.
“What we’ve tried to do is create three separate stories, because not the same things scare everyone. So we’re telling a ghost story, a monster story and a more contemporary story,” said Teresa Ryan, the event’s design lead.
While walking through A Taste of Eternity with a group of reporters, screams were heard frequently.
Visitors are advised to try to take their time while going through the attraction.
There are parts where people want to run away or duck in fear, as one reporter did, but visitors might be better off to look around and take in all the horror.
The progression into the dark heart of the cult really is a ton of fun, with jumps, screams and gore.
Fort Edmonton Park recommends the attractions for people aged 14 or older.
This festival of the macabre runs from Oct. 18-27 and offers up the scares from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, with tickets priced at $30 a head.
And if that’s not enough horror, Catch the Keys Productions presents Dead Centre of Town XI, a live-action horror show that runs in the Blatchford Field Air Hangar at Fort Edmonton Park Oct. 18-31 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tickets are $30 or you can combine the two events for $55.