A decade ago, my sister and I ventured southeast to New York City and Boston. In New York, we caught a Blue Jays game against the Yankees; in Boston, we immersed ourselves in historic walks and haunts, including North Station, where the Bruins play atop a bustling train terminal. Intrigued, we boarded the commuter rail for a 35-minute journey into Salem, Massachusetts: a coastal city shrouded in the dark lore and lingering shadows of the 1692 Witch Trials.

​    As a history buff with a deep fascination for the uncanny, Salem was an absolute dream. We dined along Pickering Wharf at the edge of the Atlantic, surrounded by cobblestone streets and enchanted boutiques brimming with witchy flair. The atmosphere felt as though we had stepped straight onto the set of Practical Magic.

​    Having reserved tickets for a 7:00 PM ghost walking tour, we finished our meal and made our way to Essex Street, the heart of Salem’s tourist district. Seeing a large crowd gathered, we quietly blended in and waited.

    Forty-five minutes later, our group of about thirty was ushered into a dimly lit, spellbinding shop reminiscent of Ollivanders from Harry Potter. As the leader began to speak, the eerie truth dawned on us: my sister and I had crashed the wrong tour. This was no ordinary graveyard stroll. We had wandered into an active paranormal investigation. The research team was equipped with EMF detectors, spirit boxes, and gear straight out of Ghost Hunters.

​    Too bashful to admit our mistake, and far too spellbound to walk away, we spent the next three hours investigating haunted landmarks through the darkened streets of Salem. Unknowingly, we had stumbled into a full-scale paranormal convention. Skeptic or true believer, the lingering chill of that night was unforgettable.

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    This weekend, the thrill returns as a colleague, and I join the Winnipeg Paranormal Group right here at home. Tickets sold out almost instantly for a night inside one of Manitoba's most storied heritage sites, where history and the unexplained collide: a full-scale public investigation of the Virden Pioneer Museum. Known for its meticulously preserved artifacts, creaking floorboards, and whispers of lingering spirits, this iconic building will play host to an immersive, after-dark ghost hunt.

​     Under the cover of night, we will explore active hotspots alongside seasoned investigators steeped in the building's deep history and reported hauntings. It promises to be an adrenaline-fuelled evening, offering hands-on experience with professional paranormal tools—from spirit boxes and thermal imaging to EMF meters scanning the dark for unseen energy.

Whether you are a seasoned investigator or simply drawn to the mysteries beyond the veil, stepping into the dark offers a rare, spine-tingling glimpse into the unknown.

 

Stay tuned to hear how our hunt goes…