Intermittent rain and cooler weather didn’t deter hundreds of attendees from flocking to Galey Farms for the final days of this year’s Pumpkin Fest.
The farm still has spookier thrills lined up for older crowds as night falls. Available every day until Halloween, the Festival of Fear invites visitors to explore the site after dark, including access to Carnevil – a 6,000-square-foot haunted house.
Farm owner Rob Galey was proud to welcome people from all walks of life to this 25-year-old tradition, held throughout October.
“Pumpkin Fest is a family event,” said Galey. “It’s a great time of the year, and for us, it’s a celebration of our harvest. It’s all about making memories."
With attractions including a mile-long train ride through animated displays like Dino Land and spooky graveyards, a large pumpkin patch, a six-acre corn maze, and many other meticulously hand-crafted themed exhibits, Galey said there’s nothing quite like this experience anywhere else on the Island.
Having evolved into a seasonal go-to destination for Greater Victoria residents and beyond, the Saanich farmer expressed deep gratitude to the community that helped bring his vision to life. He now reaps the rewards of his hard work.
“One of the coolest things is hearing people say, ‘Rob, thank you so much for doing this. I used to come when I was a kid, and now I’m here with my children,’” he said. “It’s become a generational tradition (and) it’s a pleasure to serve everyone.”
Concluding another successful year, Galey noted tickets for the event sold out completely over the past three weeks.
Since its start in 1999, the event has grown steadily each year, with Galey and his family continually working to make it even bigger and spookier than before.
“My kids are now involved, and we’re continuing to grow steadily, adding better displays and animations each season,” said Galey. “Our biggest goal right now is to acquire a second train. If we can do that, we’ll reduce wait times and handle more guests each day.”
Visit galeyfarms.ca for Festival of Fear tickets and information.
