Another great year for Pumpkinferno at Discovery Harbour!

The expanded dates and format of Discovery Harbour’s Pumpkinferno event was also reflected in some substantial increases in other areas recorded and tracked by Huronia Historical Parks during a wrap up of event results and statistics.

Attendance for the October event totalled 12,727 visitors who viewed the hand-carved pumpkin displays and challenged their courage at the Terror Zone. Both the Pumpkinferno exhibits and Terror Zone more than doubled in size from the initial event launched in 2015. Attendance to the event increased by 6,500 visitors or 103% when compared to 2015.

Most notable was how visitors to the event impacted the economy of the region, growing substantially over 2015 figures. By inputting the attendance results into the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport TREIM program, (Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model) it was determined the event had an economic impact to Simcoe County of $998,919. Included in this figure is over $296,000. spent on food and beverage at restaurants and bars and $42,000. in expenditures in area accommodations. Survey results also indicated that 11% of all visitors stayed overnight in the region.

Currently on the fall line-up for Huronia Historical Parks (HHP) is First Light at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. The signature event for Sainte-Marie has also increased its’ dates and continues December 2 and 3 and 8 – 10. For more information about First Light and other HHP events and programs, please visit hhp.on.ca