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Esther Fest

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Esther Fest is an annual celebration of the paranormal, inspired by The Great Amherst Mystery. Strange rappings and bangings were heard throughout her home.

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In 1878 Amherst, NS made international headlines when Esther Cox, an eighteen year old resident of the town, reportedly found herself at the centre of a bizarre series of events which became known as The Great Amherst Mystery. Objects flew through the air. Esther writhed in pain and swelled to twice her normal size. Countless people watched as fires were started and an unknown hand scratched into the wall above Esther's bed, “Esther Cox You Are Mine To Kill.”

The story has become known in paranormal literature as one of the best documented cases of poltergeist activity on record. The New York Sun said it was “...in all probability the greatest (tale) of its kind in this or any age,” while MacLean’s magazine called it “Canada’s most famous ghost story and a classic Poltergeist case.” The story has been featured in a number of books and television programs about the supernatural.

“Esther Fest,” a celebration of the paranormal and horror, inspired by Esther Cox and her story, will take place, Oct. 24-29, 2017 in Amherst, N.S.

11/01/2026

THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT FESTIVAL!!!

That's a wrap on Esther Fest 2026! And what a Festival it was. This year was our biggest and busiest yet. Word is spreading that the Town of Amherst, NS is the place to be to celebrate Halloween and we couldn't be happier!

Thank you to all the volunteers, businesses and organizations who worked with us to provide more than 20 different events over the last eleven days. Thank you as well, to the Town of Amherst, Canadian Heritage and the Municipality of Cumberland for their continued financial support. And a huge thank you goes out to Amherst Community Living for all their work. I especially want to thank all of you for taking part and having so much fun getting spooky with us. Without you there is no festival.

Every year we try to add new events and this year we had a few that are definitely keepers. In addition to all of our old standbys, next year you can look for the return of The Great Amherst Street Parade, Grandma's Haunted Coffee House and some version of the Pub Crawl with Esther Cox.

Here are photos from some of the events this year. And this isn't even all of them! I'll post more from each event over the coming days.

Thank you for keeping the story of the Great Amherst Mystery alive and for helping us as we work towards making Amherst the Salem of Canada! 👻

- Charlie Rhindress,
Executive Director of Esther Fest

P.S. I stole a few of these pictures from various pages. Thanks for posting!

10/31/2026

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Today at Esther Fest: Sat., Oct. 31

It's Halloween and the final day of Esther Fest! Thanks for all your support over these past ten days. Here's to one more good one!

Scarecrow Stroll/Amherst in Gloom – Free - See list of locations below

Pub Crawl with Esther Cox - Starts at the The Old Warehouse Cafe and Lounge at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the door.

Halloween Spooktacular – Legion Dance with The Retronators

For more information about any of these events, click here:

https://greatamherstmystery.com/2026-events-tickets/

10/30/2026

POSTPONEMENT!

Due to the weather we are going to have to postpone tonight's Ghost Walk. The date will be changed and we will reach out to everyone to see if they can make the alternate date. If not, we will issue refunds.

Sorry to do this so late, but Environment Canada was saying there was only a 30% chance of showers and it seems much worse than that.

I will be in touch with everyone who bought tickets.

My apologies,
Charlie

10/30/2026

Today at Esther Fest: Friday, Oct. 30

It's the second last day of Esther Fest 2026, but we've still got lots going on!

Scarecrow Stroll/Amherst in Gloom – Free - See list of locations on photo below

Trueman’s Haunted Corn Maze

Ghost Hunts with Parasight - SOLD OUT

The Great Amherst Ghost Walk - SOLD OUT

Pub Crawl with Esther Cox - Tickets available at the door at The Old Warehouse Cafe at 7 p.m. Some of the bars even have special Great Amherst Mystery style inspired drinks like the "Ghostly White Russian," from the Elm Tree, pictured below. It can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic!

For more details click below:

10/30/2026

We still have tickets available for our Pub Crawls with Esther Cox! Join Esther at the Warehouse Café, Dooly’s and the The Elm Tree Tavern as she tells the story of really what really happened to her back in 1878! Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31.

For more details, including how to get tickets, click below:

Pub Crawl with Esther Cox – From 7:30 pm Pub Crawl with Esther Cox Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31 – 7-10:30 p.m. Downtown Amherst It’s 1900 and Esther Cox has returned to Amherst to visit family. While in town she’s doing a pub crawl where she’ll share the story of what really happe...

10/29/2026

Nova Scotia has a story for every season—and with Halloween approaching, this one might leave you checking over your shoulder.

Tomorrow on Past the Lighthouse, join Dan Budgell for “The Great Amherst Mystery: Nova Scotia’s Most Famous Ghost Story.”

Turn down the lights, settle in, and explore a mysterious chapter of our province’s past.

Friday, October 30 at 2 p.m. Atlantic on Lighthouse Radio.

Find your way to listen:
https://linktr.ee/lighthousemedians

10/29/2026

We still have a few spots available for tonight's ghost hunt at the Hewson Complex with ParaSight Paranormal Investigations. Click below for all the details.

Ghost Hunts with ParaSight – from 6:30 pm & 8:30 pm Ghost Hunts with ParaSight Kiersten Tough as Esther Cox in “Guilty! The Story of the Great Amherst Mystery,” by Charlie Rhindress. Live Bait Theatre, Sackville, NB, 1993. Wed. – Friday, Oct. 28-30 – Two investigations per night – 6:30 p...

10/29/2026

Today at Esther Fest: Thursday, Oct. 29

We're getting close to the end of Esther Fest, but we're not done yet! Here's what's on for today:

Ghost Hunts with ParaSight - We still have spots available for the 8:30 investigation at the Hewson Complex

Scarecrow Stroll/Amherst in Gloom – Free. See list of addresses below

Scarefest 2026- Haunted Maze

Grandma’s Haunted Coffee House - A few tickets are still available and there will be some at the door

For all the details please check out:

https://greatamherstmystery.com/2026-events-tickets/

10/28/2026

Today at Esther Fest: Wednesday, Oct. 28

Scarecrow Stroll/Amherst in Gloom – Free

Scarefest 2026 - Haunted Maze

Ghost Hunts with ParaSight Paranormal Investigations at the Cumberland County Museum. Spaces are still available. Call (902) 614-2666 or visit:

https://greatamherstmystery.com/2026-events-tickets/

to book a space or find out more information about all of today's activities!

10/27/2026

Today at Esther Fest: Tuesday, Oct. 27

The Scarecrow Stroll continues and we have Laura Warren Psychic Medium live at 7 p.m. We still have a few tickets left for Laura. You can get them at the door!

Check out our website for more details:

https://greatamherstmystery.com/2026-events-tickets/

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