Home Sections Family & Society What’s new at Galey Farms for COVID Halloween

What’s new at Galey Farms for COVID Halloween

gnome, Galey Farns, October 2020
The new gnome at Galey Farms is a real eye-catcher! [Island Social Trends / Kiley Verbowski]
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Tuesday October 20, 2020 | Reposted October 13, 2020 | SAANICH, BC

by Kiley Verboski for Island Social Trends

Outdoor family fun is back for the month of October at Galey Farms in Saanich but festivities look a little different this year due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

All visitors must book advance tickets online in half hour slots. The corn maze, kid-friendly ghost town, train ride, pumpkin patch, and Carnevil haunted house are operational this year.

There’s nothing quite like a corn maze to feel that Halloween spookiness! [Island Social Trends / photo by Kiley Verbowski]

Unfortunately, hay rides, the petting zoo, kids zone, bouncy land, and the entertainment stage is closed because, “all those things are where people congregate,” according to Rob Galey, owner of Galey Farms.

But of course the infamous very-tall gnome (relocated from another community) is new and that’s attracting new visitors this year.

The farm’s fall operations were hit hard by the pandemic, but Galey optimistically chose to plant corn in the spring. After months spent building a safety plan and negotiating with the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), Galey says, “I can swear on the Bible. This is a safe place to come.”

General store and train at Galey Farms this 2020 Halloween season. [Photo by Kiley Verbowski for Island Social Trends]

Stringent social distancing measures, sanitizing practices on touch zones like the train, and hand sanitizer before and after every activity are working to keep visitors healthy.

As for Galey’s corn crops – he’s grateful for his foresight. He had to cut the maze lanes wider than usual (12 ft this year) so two groups can safely pass each other, but otherwise, it’s the same old fun.

Honey and pumpkins and things for sale at Galey Farms this 2020 Halloween season. [Photo by Kiley Verbowski for Island Social Trends]

Galey Farms with corn maze, market and railway is located at 4150 Blenkinsop Road (corner of Alison). The pumpkin patch is free to visit any time.