Sydenham’s Haunted Barn’s Final Year

Wilma Kenny | Nov 03, 2021

“We always knew the barn was haunted,” says Cathy McNeill Richmond, “so everything else followed.” Mom Bev adds with a chuckle, “They thought the basement was haunted, too; even locked me down there once.” So perhaps it wasn’t entirely unusual that Cathy and her sister Lauren Stinson persuaded their husbands and children to join them in turning the old barn behind the house where they grew up into what has become one of the most wildly popular Hallowe’en attractions in Sydenham.

What began as a loosely organized fun event soon became a year-long hobby for Cathy and Lauren, who joined the Canadian Haunters’ Association, sharing ideas with like-minded folks. Themes have included a zombie wedding, vampires, and a haunted toy store. The cast quickly drew in more friends and relations, growing to 20 or more, ages 7 to 84. The whole event (and the popcorn) were free: substantial donations all went to rural outreach Addiction and Mental Health Services, and the local Food Bank.

This year’s “Sloat’s Landing Carnevil” was staged outside the barn due to Covid. Nobody wanted popcorn after they saw the rats swarming the machine…and a variety of sinister clowns guided visitors through the various scenarios around the big yard. There was a record number of visitors.

Sadly, this is the last year for the event: “After eleven years, it’s run its course,’ says Cathy; ‘it’s been a ton of work and lots of fun!’