Fort Whoop-Up turning into a haunted house
By Steffanie Costigan - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 27, 2023.
Fort Whoop-Up is opening its doors for a spooky haunted house visit today and Saturday.The Fort-Whoop-Up haunted house runs from 1 to 3 p.m. with family-friendly guided tours around the fort. From 6 to 9 p.m. the fort will have actors putting a fright into visitors.
Galt Museum community programming coordinator Kristin Krein said a lot of labour has gone into putting together the haunted house.
“It is a labour of love and a labour of terror. There is a lot of opportunity to see it in different capacities, which we’re thrilled to offer…There will be no live actors, there will be more lights to guide you. There will be candy giveaways, a lot to encourage young families, young kids or just people who don’t want to be scared in that way and just kind of see how we’ve decorated it and just enjoy an afternoon of like Halloween Horror and spooky fun,” said Krein of the afternoon tours.
The haunted house was a collaboration with the Galt Museum and Fort Whoop-Up, the idea being spurred by feedback from last year’s Halloween celebrations.
“I got a lot of feedback last year in Halloween programming that people wanted the barracks more involved. More of that spooky October kind of feeling that the barracks already does give. So, we really leaned into it,” explained Krein.
It is required for the 1 to 3 p.m. tours through the haunted fort to be booked in advance. Admission fee is $5 per person. Bookings can be done online through https://www.galtmuseum.com/events/haunted-house-at-fort-whoop-up or by phone at 403-320-3954.
“We’ll also have the haunted hayrides. Those are separately booked separately and we’re really excited to have the Headless Horseman driving those again,” said Krein.
“In the evening is the scariness – there will be actors, there will be lights low, there will be scares there, will be screams.”
There is no need to register for the evening event, Krein said, with it being first-come, first-served.
“Everyone is welcome.”
Krein said she wants the community to enjoy the spooky decorations and the smells to be experienced at the Fort.
“I really want you to come and to see it. And also, to just have these false smells as you’re walking through you have done a lot of senses as you come through here and things could be around every corner.” 2
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