Five fall events to check out at the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum this fall

The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum is welcoming the season with a mix of family fun, cultural traditions and Halloween thrills. Here’s what’s happening this October:

1. Celebrate autumn at Fall Fest – Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The museum’s annual Fall Fest offers a day of outdoor fun, including a community barbecue, games, petting zoo, vendor market, bouncy castle and horse-drawn wagon rides. Families can also explore the museum’s exhibits Forged in the Fallsand The Heart of the Rideau. Admission is by donation.

2. Brave the Haunted Heritage House – Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25, 7 to 9 p.m.
The historic 1860s home at 11 Old Slys Rd. will be filled with live actors and spooky surprises, as groups make their way through darkened corridors. With more than 40 volunteers involved, the event promises plenty of scares. Tickets are $10 and available on sfhauntedhouse.eventbrite.ca or at the door, while supplies last. Seasonal treats and homemade apple cider will be for sale.

3. Hear chilling Ghost Tales – Oct. 9, 7 to 9 p.m.
Guided tours of the museum share ghostly whispers, rumours and local legends tied to the site and the surrounding area. Tickets are $10 per person, with additional tours available by appointment.

4. Enter the Community Pumpkin Carving Contest – Entries due Oct. 23
Residents are invited to carve their best jack-o-lanterns and drop them off at the museum. Pumpkins will be displayed on the grounds until Oct. 31, with visitors casting their votes for favourites in a ballot box.

5. Explore seasonal museum displays – all month long
In addition to fall events, visitors can browse permanent and seasonal exhibits, including Forged in the Falls and The Heart of the Rideau, which showcase the area’s history and heritage.