The Sooke Region Museum is set to host "Sooke Spook", a family-friendly event featuring local history-inspired ghost stories and characters on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Visitors are invited to roam the museum grounds in costume, where they'll encounter actors from the Sooke Harbour Players bringing tales of shipwrecks, lighthouse keepers, and local legends to life. The event will showcase stories from the region's past, including the treacherous "Graveyard of the Pacific" and the ghostly sightings of a schoolteacher in East Sooke.
In addition to the historical reenactments, the museum will celebrate International Bat Week in collaboration with Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT). Attendees can learn about local bat species and their importance to the ecosystem through educational displays and activities.
The free admission event will also offer food for purchase, including roasted "spider dogs" and hot apple cider. Organizers advise guests to dress appropriately for the outdoor portions of the event.
Sarah Wilford, programs manager, said the event's focus is on local history and conservation.
"We're excited to blend spooky storytelling with important educational elements about our region's past and wildlife," Wilford said.
The Sooke Region Museum, which operates on the traditional territories of the T'Sou-ke, Scia'new, and Pacheedaht peoples, continues to serve as a hub for preserving and sharing the area's rich cultural heritage.
