Spallumcheen's Historic O'Keefe Ranch has some exciting events in store for visitors in August, from spooky investigations to an annual celebration of the ranch's cowboy culture.
The ranch is hosting a Paranormal Weekend Aug. 9-11.
"It's basically just a weekend investigation of O'Keefe Ranch, because there are a lot of things with our history and people have seen or heard ghostly stories, and it leads people to want to investigate what's really going on," said Morgan Browne, with O'Keefe Ranch.
The event is intended for people to camp at the ranch the entire weekend.
There will be a meet and greet at the ranch with paranormal enthusiasts and members of the Canadian Paranormal Society Friday night, Aug. 9. The following day, paranormal investigators will present their methodology, going over the tools they use and the processes they go through in their investigations.
There will be two ghostly investigations of the ranch followed by a catered dinner by the Rustlers Table, the ranch's on-site restaurant, on Aug. 10. Participants will also get a paranormal package that includes items tied to the history of paranormal activity at the ranch, such as notepads, flashlights, marbles, bells and a T-shirt.
"(Guests) will get to explore all of our buildings and see what they can find and work with the investigators themselves, which I think is really exciting," Browne said.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, event-goers will be free to roam the ranch and take part in historical tours, interacting with the ranch's role play artists.
Then, towards the end of August, the ranch is bringing back its popular Cowboy Festival.
The festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 24, with daytime events from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will include kids crafts and a playtime rodeo hosted by Rob Dinwoodie, a showdown at high noon, wagon rides, cowboy poetry and history, line dancing and more.
The Cowboy Dinner Show takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. Dinwoodie and Open Range will perform a historical comedy drama with music and fun for the whole family. A cowboy campfire will follow the dinner featuring singalongs, poetry and storytelling.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, the ranch will host cowboy church at 10 a.m. Dinwoodie will give a service at the St. Anne's Church at the ranch, featuring a sermon and music.
Tickets for the and the dinner show can be purchased at ticketseller.ca.