'That little jolt': COVID-19 rules don't scare off Aurora Halloween tours

#YorkCOVIDween: 'It makes you wonder if there's more' beyond our physical world

Yorkregion.com
October 29, 2020
Lisa Queen

It was a glimpse into the unexplained, into the world of paranormal activity that Dave Heard says surrounds us if we are prepared to surrender to ghoulish phenomenon.

It happened last year while Heard was conducting one of his Spirit Walks, a combination of historical and creepy tours of Aurora.

Speaking to the rapt faces in the crowd, he told the story of a fire that ravaged a downtown business.

A man foolishly ran back into the fire to grab a personal item but was thrown out of the building when it exploded.

As the man lie dying, he uttered his last words.

“My wallet.”

Just as Heard finished the tale, a guest on the tour called out that there was something behind him.

Heard turned around to find a wallet on the ground.

Intrigued?

It’s just one of the mysterious occurrences that Heard says routinely happen on the tours he has conducted for the last decade.

In this year of COVID-19, Heard is going ahead with the Spirit Walks while adapting them to accommodate pandemic restrictions.

While tours in the past have accommodated as many as 100 guests, this year’s events are limited to 25. He also offered private tours for up to 10 people who wanted to remain in their own social bubble.

Guests must wear masks and physically distance.

Heard did have to cancel an indoor adaption of the tours at the Aurora Legion when the province introduced new COVID-19 restrictions in York Region beginning Oct. 19.

The outdoor walking tours offer guests a welcome outlet during a year when so many things have been scrapped, Heard said.

“Because of COVID, people are looking for things to do and they’re looking for things to do outdoors,” he said.

“We know we can only do limited things. One of the things we have the ability to do is be outdoors. It’s almost like we were prepared for COVID because we’ve been doing tours outdoors for a decade. People need that open community connection now.”

And people still love to be scared, he said.

“We want to get that little jolt. Adrenalin is good; adrenalin is good for people,” he said.

“Just about everybody who goes on a tour has that wide-eyed look on their face when the tour is done. It makes you wonder what if there is more (beyond our physical world). It opens up people’s minds.”

Heard’s last tours this year will be held Oct. 29, 30 and 31, departing at 7:30 p.m. from the west entrance of the Town Park.

Tickets are $20, with this year’s proceeds being donated to the Aurora Food Pantry.

For tickets, call 905-717-6647 or email creepytours@gmail.com. For more information, visit creepytours.com.

Meanwhile, the town will hold the last nights of its Haunted Greenhouse event Oct. 29 and 30 at the Joint Operations Centre at 229 Industrial Pkwy. N.

For more information, visit aurora.ca/hauntedgreenhouse or call the Special Events line at 905-726-4762.

In response to the provincial government’s direction that residents in COVID-19 hot spots, including York Region, avoid trick-or-treating, the region’s public health department has offered Halloween celebration alternatives.

Those include decorating at home to share the spooky spirit, hosting a virtual party to show off costumes, holding an Easter egg-type candy hunt or pinata-breaking event with people in your household, watching family-friendly Halloween movies and making fun treats.

If you do go opt for trick-or-treating, only go if you are free of COVID-19 symptoms, only travel with members of your direct household, stick to your own neighbourhood and line up at least two metres apart at doorsteps, incorporate face masks into your costume, use hand sanitizer between houses, and use tongs to hand out treats.

Before speaking to Aurora and Newmarket business owners and politicians during an event Oct. 15, Liberal leader Steven Del Duca criticized Premier Doug Ford for dragging his feet in giving parents and kids guidelines for Halloween.

“I think the challenge around Halloween is actually part of a much bigger concern. The lack of coherent, clear, consistent messaging from Doug Ford, from other public health leaders and politicians has been really troubling throughout the pandemic,” he said.

“Look at what happened with Thanksgiving. How many different times, how many different versions about how we were allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving did we hear coming from the premier himself?”