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Want to be spooked? Haunted forest welcomes adventure seekers

'You come and you are immersed in what feels almost like a movie,' says owner of Escape Challenge North; Openings sold out so quickly, other spots were opened up

A unique and exclusive Halloween experience - The Follower - is now ready to scare people in the Midland area.

Escape Challenge North is looking for thrill seekers who are willing to brave their Haunted Forest located near Vasey Road off Highway 12. Participants will have to solve puzzles and problems in order to lift the "curse of the creature who is closing in to seal their doom."

The challenge takes about an hour, you must have a minimum of six players in your group, and the cost is $35 per person. The event runs on select Thursdays through Mondays from Oct. 2, until Halloween night, and the experience is not recommended for young children.

Escape Challenge North owner Jill Sargent and her husband, Jason, have been offering recreational programs such as summer camps and fitness classes since 1998, but this is the first time they are offering a Halloween-themed experience.

“We thought that it would do well because its Halloween and people love this sort of stuff. You come and you are immersed in what feels almost like a movie,” Sargent explained.

When The Follower event was announced on their social media platforms, it was met with excitement and interest from people from all over the province.

All 35 available time slots were sold out almost immediately. As a result, 15 more time slots were added shortly after and now there is only one remaining. Escape Challenge North is considering adding eight more time slots in the coming days.

“To sell out before it’s even started, that’s not what we expected. We are so excited about that,” Sargent said.

The Follower is one of the only local events running for the Halloween season this year with most haunts closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sargent says their event has a unique opportunity to offer a Halloween experience that operates in a safe way.

“It’s a private thing where you can be socially distanced in your own bubble, there won’t be any other customers there, and it’s all outdoors, so it naturally has all the safe makings for the COVID  protocols,” Sargent explained.

“I think people want to do something this year and this is a safe way they can do Halloween.”

More information and added time slots can be found here: https://escapechallengenorth.com/challenge/big-escape-events/ 


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Tyler Evans

About the Author: Tyler Evans

Tyler Evans got his start in the news business when he was just 15-years-old and now serves as a video producer and reporter with OrilliaMatters
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