A fright at the farm

Kanesatake was home to some thrills this week and last, as community members flocked to the Kanesatake Health Center (KHC)’s new farmland to check out their haunted house – and the farm itself.

It was the first large-scale event at the location, giving the wider community a chance to see what kind of space and resources the KHC has access to going forward.

“It was great. We all had a great time. I went with my daughter and four grandchildren,” said community member Elaine Daye. “We enjoyed everything.”

Community member Jennifer Trentin had been to the farm before with her team at the Onen’tó:kon Healing Lodge for a meeting this summer, but was excited to go back with her 10-year-old daughter for the haunted house.

“I could tell many of the other kids who attended enjoyed it too. It was creepy for sure,” Trentin said.

She said that she’s looking forward to seeing what kinds of activities could be hosted by KHC on the farmland in future.

“I am impressed with the projects that I’ve heard they are planning, and the fact that KHC was able to purchase this land for the community is a great thing,” she said.

“The health centre is doing a lot of good for the community and our children.”

The main event, which took place on October 25, also included tractor rides through the forest, as well as family-friendly activities, including pumpkin carving in the main farmhouse and a special outdoor screening of Disney’s Frankenweenie.  

A fire pit kept people warm throughout the night, and community members could even take pictures at a photobooth on-site after visiting the haunted house.

Jadyn Lauder, KHC’s child and youth program coordinator, said that KHC wanted to have activities spread out throughout the farmland.

“Having events at different locations on the farm kind of gave everyone the perspective on the land we get to work with and what we can do in the future, because we have all this space, all this land,” she said. “There were already a few youth that came up to us saying ‘This looks like fun, maybe I want to work here in future, I think I want to tend to this,’ and stuff like that.”

Lauder said it was a big moment to finally share the farm with the whole community.

“We were definitely overwhelmed and super amazed by how many people came out and had fun at the haunted house. It was a really, really nice evening,” she said.

In keeping with the overall message of health and wellness, KHC handed out goodie bags to attendees which included some sweet treats as well as gloves, a toothbrush and toothpaste, to encourage families to keep their oral health in check while enjoying their Halloween candy.

Lauder estimates that around 130 people came to the event, and demand was so high that the KHC decided to have a second night of the Haunted House on Wednesday. They decided to open Wednesday’s event to Oka residents as well as community members, and added some more scare factor, including some bigger jump scares and darker rooms to explore.

She’s hopeful that the community will continue supporting activities at the farm.

“We had so much support, people came out, and it was fun,” she said. “It was definitely a huge success.”

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