When darkness descends on Heritage Village for three consecutive Wednesdays in December, the veil between past and present grows dangerously thin. Rebecca Mickle and The Purple Theatre Company invite audiences to walk where spirits linger, transforming Kingsville’s historic grounds into an after-hours stage for Windsor-Essex’s most chilling legends. The Wicked Wednesdays: Haunted Heritage Tours have proven so popular they nearly sold out, sparking genuine paranormal experiences among guests and generating enough supernatural momentum to conjure a festive holiday sequel.
The tours emerged organically from Mickle’s extensive research for her upcoming book, Ghost Stories and Legends of Windsor-Essex, a project supported by an Ontario Arts Council grant. “I’ve always been drawn to horror and the supernatural, and since 2018 I’ve been gathering local ghost stories whenever and wherever I could find them,” Mickle explains. “During a tour of Heritage Village with the Education Coordinator, I discovered an incredible wealth of stories. I left with pages of chilling accounts, and those became the foundation of these tours”.
Heritage Village’s reputation for supernatural activity adds authenticity to the theatrical experience, with documented encounters across multiple buildings on the grounds. “Yes, absolutely. Many people have reported hauntings at various buildings on the grounds and some of our patrons during Wicked Wednesdays even had their own paranormal experiences on the tours!” Mickle confirms. The enthusiastic audience response and genuine ghostly encounters convinced Mickle to expand the concept beyond its initial run.
Guests experience a carefully crafted blend of storytelling and performance as they navigate Heritage Village’s dark paths. “Similar to Wicked Wednesdays, guests will take a stroll through the dark paths of Heritage Village, hear chilling regional stories and dark seasonal tales from around the world, witness vignettes that bring these tales to life, and hear Christmas carols that set the spooky mood,” Mickle describes. The tours balance scares with humour, making them accessible to families while delivering genuine thrills for adult audiences.
The Purple Theatre Company’s commitment to fair compensation drives the production’s structure and sustainability. “As part of The Purple Theatre Company’s mandate, we ensure that every artist involved in our productions is paid for their work. This tour is no exception. We believe that artists deserve fair compensation, and we’re committed to contributing to a sustainable arts ecosystem in Windsor-Essex,” Mickle emphasizes. The growing popularity creates expanding employment opportunities for regional performers and writers.
Mickle’s vision extends beyond simple scares to cultural preservation and regional education. “I want people to be entertained and have fun but I also want them to walk away having learned something new about the history and folklore of our region. Windsor-Essex is full of stories that deserve to be shared, and this tour brings many of them to life in a unique, theatrical way,” she states. The production transforms historical research into accessible, engaging entertainment that honours local heritage.
The success of Wicked Wednesdays has generated a holiday spinoff, Ghosts of Christmas Past, running Dec. 3, 10 and 17 at Heritage Village, 6155 Arner Townline, Kingsville. Tours begin at 8:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $20 for general admission and $10 for ages 12 and under. More information and tickets are available through The Purple Theatre Company’s Zeffy ticketing page.
