The sun is shining and the sound of traffic hums in the background but Candice Phibbs is weaving a story that alters the atmosphere on this Yarmouth dock.
“There’s a legend that fishermen who work on these wharves won’t talk about. Often before a storm, or as a ship approaches an uncharted sandbar or ledge, an apparition appears,” she begins.
To hear the rest and a whole lot more, folks can sign up for the Eerie & the Ominous guided tour taking place every Friday this summer at 8 p.m., starting June 16.
Phibbs will share ghost and pirate stories, folklore and legends about Yarmouth crime during the tour. Each excursion is conducted by lantern-light, 1.5 kilometres along the waterfront and Main Street, starting at Frost Park and ending at the old jail.
Yarmouth Walking Tours is also offering Footsteps in Time excursions, departing from Rodd Grand Hotel Sundays at 3 p.m. These tours entertain with seafaring fables, stories of shipwrecks, the circus fire, rum running and captains’ homes. Tours run to the end of September.
“We’re also looking at doing a special three-nights-only Halloween-themed tour around Friday the 13th in October,” said Phibbs.
Although she wouldn’t classify herself as a history buff, she says she loves the stories behind the community, the people and the homes.
“To tell it (history) in a story-telling manner engages people so much more. The story draws you in,” she said.
She’s spent many hours researching history books, some written by students taught by the late Ken Langille, and browsing museum archives for material. Her studies confirmed that the region is rich in stories.
“It was very hard to narrow it all down but it leaves room for future years to change things up if everything goes well,” she said.
The tours are being promoted through the visitors’ guide and map, on the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association website as an experience, with Nova Scotia Tourism and in brochures placed in hotel lobbies.
If you go
Each tour costs $20 plus HST. Although they are not geared towards children, they are welcome to attend. Under age 12 is free.
Reservations can be made through the website or by calling 902-307-2250. Tours are limited to 20 guests each.
