From steam-powered construction equipment roaring back to life to a family-friendly Halloween adventure after dark, the County of Simcoe Museum is inviting residents to experience two very different events later this month.
The museum's annual Last Blast event will take place Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving visitors the rare chance to see historic construction equipment operating as it was originally designed. Later in the month, the popular Night at the Boo-seum returns Oct. 28, 29 and 30 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with Halloween-themed activities aimed at young families.
Forrest Patenaude of the County of Simcoe Museum told Barrie 360 that Last Blast offers a unique opportunity to see pieces of machinery that are normally static displays spring back into action.
“Last Blast is essentially ... bringing history back to life, quite literally. “The static machines that we've got, the bulldozers, the cranes, the steamrollers, all that kind of stuff, they're getting turned on, and they're doing exactly what they were designed to do.”
The event features a range of historic equipment, including a steam-powered shovel and roller. Patenaude said the sight, sounds and movement of the machines create an experience that appeals across generations.
“It's one of those rare events where everyone finds something fascinating”
Museum staff partner with members of the Historical Construction Equipment Association for the event, allowing visitors to get up close to the machinery, ask questions and learn more about how the equipment was used. Guests can also take advantage of a people mover to help explore the museum's expansive property.
While the event naturally attracts machinery enthusiasts, Patenaude says families make up a large portion of the audience.
“Whether you're an equipment enthusiast or just someone who enjoys really cool machines doing really cool stuff, that's what Last Blast is about.”
The museum sees events such as Last Blast as part of a broader effort to help residents connect with local history.
“Everyone is connecting, right?” Patenaude says. “They get a chance to learn about where they live, learn about the county.”
Simcoe County Museum's Forrest Patenaude joins Barrie's 360's Julius Hern with details on Last Blast and Night at the Boo-seum
And, coming up in a couple of weeks, the museum will transform into a Halloween destination for Night at the Boo-seum, a seasonal event designed to be more playful than scary.
Patenaude describes it as “spooky enough to be exciting, but not spooky enough that someone's sleeping with the lights on afterwards.”
Visitors can expect trick-or-treating, face painting, a mystery tour, potion-making activities, Halloween games and a dance party with DJ Zombies. The event will also feature a “Ghost Bus” ride through the museum grounds, along with themed decorations throughout the site.
Guests are encouraged to come in costume, although Patenaude offered a reminder for those attending outdoor portions of the event.
“Just remember that it's Canada and it's late October, so sometimes the scariest thing might be forgetting your jacket,” he said.
Patenaude sums up the two events with a lighthearted comparison.
“We've got Last Blast on October 17th from 10 to 4, and then we've got our Halloween Night at the Boo-seum event on the 28th, 29th and 30th of October from 6 to 8:30 p.m.,” he said. “One's powered by steam, the other's powered by sugar.”
More information, including admission details, is available through the County of Simcoe Museum website.
