Fall is a season for the senses. Bright, bold colours create breathtaking views and the sound of crunching leaves invite us to get outside. Spooky stories make our skin crawl while hot drinks and cozy sweaters wrap us in warmth on chilly days. Hearty meals deliver seasonal aromas and sweet treats make us smile. In and around Orangeville, you'll find many opportunities to revel in the wonder of this impressive season.
A spirited past

The history of a place is made of its people and the stories that they share. This time of year, those stories may venture a little further from the facts and entertain us with eerie interpretations. We asked the team at the Museum of Dufferin (MoD) to help us dig a little deeper into Orangeville’s past to see what might be lurking in the corners of our community. We learned that with just a short walk along Broadway, you’ll find four historic locations with some spirited stories to share.
Town Hall hauntings
Orangeville’s Town Hall has a long history as a multi-purpose hub for the community. Many people have passed through its halls and corridors over years, both alive and dead. Mediums who have visited the historic building have indicated the presence of lingering spirits. Their presence could be linked to the Town Hall’s past as the site for coroner inquests. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, evidence related to suspicious or unlawful deaths was often presented to a judge and jury by bringing the deceased before the coroner for examination. After it was built in 1875, Town Hall became a location for several inquests. The meat locker for the market is believed to have doubled as a morgue to store bodies during these gruesome investigations. Could some of Town Hall’s suspected spirits be settling there in hopes of correcting injustices of the past?
Theatrical tricks
Around 1876, an assembly hall was situated on the second floor of Town Hall. Since then, renovations have transformed it into the beloved Opera House. While the space may look quite different today, spirits from years ago may still remain.

At least one ghost has been detected by visiting mediums. A former employee swears that he saw the figure of a woman descending a set of stairs. Before he could speak to redirect her, she disappeared. Supposedly, this spirit most frequently haunts the back seats of the Opera House – the former location of the stage. Keep this in mind the next time you are booking tickets! 
Spirits in the stacks
Today, the Mill Street branch of the Orangeville Public Library stands majestically in the heart of downtown. However, the structures that stood in this central location prior to the library may be the actual reason that so many spirits are suspected to inhabit the building. Bell’s Hotel was built here in 1860, but burned down in 1874. It was replaced by the Gordon House Hotel, which unfortunately met the same fate in 1903.

The library as we find it today consists of two renovated historic structures – the Carnegie Library, built in 1908, and the Bank of Commerce (later Royal Bank). It was after renovations in the 1980s that strange things began happening. Staff have reported that ghosts seem to be highly active at night, removing books from the shelves and leaving them on the floor. Doors also seem to open on their own as if someone is entering the room, yet there is no one in view.

In 2009, a paranormal team visited the library. They determined that the building is indeed haunted by several spirits, but no one on the team was able to communicate with or identify the ghosts. Some believe the ghosts are former bank employees. Others believe that the renovation caused spirits of former hotel patrons to re-appear. Is it possible that some perished in one of the fires or met an untimely end after a night of disorderly conduct at the hotel bar? We may need to search the stacks for clues.
Room at the inn
The newly renovated Greystones Restaurant & Lounge has made its mark on one of the oldest buildings in Orangeville. Located at 63 Broadway, the impressive stone structure has been a source of food, drink, and hospitality for many guests since it was originally known as Graham’s Tavern in the mid-1800s. It seems that Greystones may also be a favourite haunt of some local spirits. As many as eight ghosts are thought to linger in the historic building. Over the years, staff have reported various encounters and occurrences such as unexplained noises and moving shadows. The stories behind these sightings may be just as interesting.

One ghost is thought to be a woman who worked alongside the inn keeper Thomas Clegg around 1879. It is rumoured that their working relationship became romantic before Clegg was drawn away by other pursuits. Her lingering presence may be attributed to her suspicious death. The woman's body was apparently discovered on the property, supposedly after having taken her own life. Some believe she was murdered, perhaps by Clegg’s wife Ann, who is also presumed to be roaming as a spirit at Greystones. Another hotel ghost named Carl may be the most notorious of them all. He is said to be happiest when a bottle of scotch is placed at his second-storey table. His presence at the inn may be related to an altercation, but Carl has failed to elaborate for any mediums seeking answers. These stories only add to Greystones ambience, making it a destination where guests can enjoy food and spirits – of all varieties.

These spirited stories may encourage you to pay close attention during your next visit to one of these historic locations. You never know who may be lurking nearby. 
Boo! on Broadway and beyond this October
Downtown Orangeville will be the destination of choice for ghosts and goblins in October. A spooky selection of events and activities are happening all month long. If you’re looking for a scary sight, visit the graveyard scene, strike a pose with the giant skeleton, and then share it on social media for a chance to win $100 downtown dollars. Families can follow the story of Paisley the Pumpkin as part of a story walk presented in partnership with the Orangeville Public Library. On Saturday, October 23, you’ll find dressed-up vendors and decorated tables at the last outdoor Farmers’ Market of the season. To end the spooky season on Saturday, October 30, vote for your favourite pumpkin and then go on a search for wicked witches on display in downtown windows. Spot 10 witches to earn a treat bag from Mill Creek Gardens Cafe.
 
All of this festive fun is presented by the Orangeville BIA. Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for all of the details.
Dufferin Farm Tour
Saturday, October 2, 7 p.m.
Watch on Facebook

Since 2000, the Dufferin Farm Tour has offered a unique opportunity to experience farming and agri-business first-hand. The annual tour leads participants to various destinations throughout Dufferin County where hosts and volunteers showcase where and how we get our food.

This year's tour is a virtual event and will provide a behind-the-scenes view into some of our region's agricultural operations. Get a sneak peak at DufferinFarmTour.com and then tune in to watch the full presentation on Saturday, October 2 at 7 p.m.
Arts & Culture Awards Presentation
Thursday, October 7, 7 p.m.
Watch on Facebook or YouTube

Join the online celebration of arts and culture in Dufferin County as the Town of Orangeville presents the 2021 Arts & Culture Awards. For a second year, the awards ceremony will be adapted to offer a pre-recorded experience for the audience to safely enjoy. Past award winners will announce this year's 32 nominees while taking viewers on a virtual tour of some of Orangeville's most creative spaces.

The online presentation will be available to view on YouTube or Facebook at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 7.
Same Time Next Year presented by Theatre Orangeville
Live on the Opera House stage
October 13 to 31

Theatre Orangeville returns to the Opera House with a live presentation of one of this century's most popular romantic comedies. The plot follows a love affair between Doris and George who are married to others, but rendezvous once a year. Twenty-five years of manners and morals are played out in this popular production.
Orangeville Farmers' Market
October 2, 9, 16, 23
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
90 Broadway, across from Town Hall

There are just four weeks left to enjoy the outdoor experience of the Orangeville Farmers' Market in downtown Orangeville. Over 25 vendors offer a plentiful selection of fruit, vegetables, meats, baked goods, ready-to-enjoy meals, and much more. The market moves inside Town Hall for the winter season starting Saturday, November 6.
New art around town
Three new pieces of public art have been added to Orangeville’s collection. Each must-see piece offers an engaging experience, particularly when the meaning behind each installation is revealed.
Opera House mural
An interactive mural now adorns the side of The Chocolate Shop at 114 Broadway. Entitled “Part of the Magic,” the piece was created by local scenic artist and set designer Beckie Morris. She combined elements of past Theatre Orangeville performances into a mixed media art piece that includes photography, hand drawing, and digital manipulation. The mural features the footlights and painted curtain from the 2014 production of Queen Milli of Galt and the backdrop that was originally created for the 2007 Young Company production of Just this Once Upon a Time. The mural is intended to be an interactive art piece that entices passersby to stop and become a character in the scene, to take a bow, and to pose for the camera.
Indigenous crosswalk
At the intersection of Broadway and First Street, you’ll find an orange crosswalk emblazoned with seven white feathers across its width. The feathers represent the teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, a set of principles that focus on moral respect for all living things and are centered around wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. The installation commemorates the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools. The piece represents a step towards reconciliation in our community and was installed in advance of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
Bravery Park Statue
The centrepiece at Orangeville’s new Bravery Park is a bronze statue of a Canadian soldier kneeling before two Afghan children who are presenting him with a butterfly. Created by local artists Donna Pascoe and Peter Turrell, the piece took many hours to conceptualize, and received input from different parties, including Canadian soldiers themselves. The statue is mounted in the center of a Canadian Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award of the Canadian honours system. At the park, you’ll also find the Medicine Wheel Garden, a memorial stone, and other elements that contribute to the beauty and meaning of the location.
Each of these installations can be discovered using Driftscape. Download the free mobile app for an interactive experience or plan in advance using the web-based version. It’s an easy way to explore Orangeville and find each piece of public art. 
Join Terry O'Reilly on Thursday, October 14 for a virtual presentation about creative problem solving. When out-of-the-box thinking is applied to strategies, marketing problems can be solved, obstacles can be blasted out of the way, and revenues can dramatically improve. All you have to do is “jump the fence.”

Your exclusive event link includes a $20 voucher to use at a participating restaurant in downtown Orangeville. Please register at least two days in advance to reserve your spot.
The Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program is open and now accepting applications from small businesses across Dufferin County. The program aims to help small businesses increase their online presence and incorporate digital technologies to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Eligible small businesses can apply until October 31st, 2021 or until grant funds have been exhausted.

It is free to apply and the process is simple:
  1. Register your business online and complete the digital assessment.
  2. Pass the pre-qualification quiz, complete the online training, and develop your plan.
  3. Apply for a $2,500 grant.

To learn more about the Digital Transformation Grant program, business eligibility, and the application process visit digitalmainstreet.ca or contact Christine Hann, Digital Services Co-ordinator at the Town of Orangeville by email (chann@orangeville.ca) or phone (519-939-8106). 
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