Take a walk through Wolfville history

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Jeremy Novak jokingly calls himself Wolfville's newest tourist attraction.

He has been conducting walking tours since graduating from Acadia University’s business program.

His 90-minute tour looks at cultural and historical gems along Main and Front streets. Finding out more about Wolfville has become an addictive preoccupation for Novak.

His new “Gravely Ghost Tour,” starting in October, will be his second 90-minute historical production, running Wednesday and Friday nights.

“There are many Wolfville legends, both documented and folklore, worthy of perpetuation. Let the gravekeeper dressed in black and his ghostly friends inform and entertain.

“At the same time,” Novak adds with a grin, “they are not intended to cause sudden heart attacks. That would be bad for business.”

With the assistance of a course offered by the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship, Novak developed a business plan for his tour operation as a student.

"Annapolis Royal, Lunenburg and Halifax all have tours available; why shouldn't Wolfville? There's a lot to be said about this place."

A couple of “trial runs” in February during Wolfville's first-ever Ice Wine Festival gave him enough confidence to pursue the venture over the summer.

Originally from Ladner, B.C., near Vancouver; Novak spent about three years in Saskatchewan before coming east in 2003. Katimavik provided his first exposure to Atlantic culture in 1999. “I left vowing to someday return,” he said.

His student loans will need repayment come November so he may have to leave again and find a “real” job but, if all goes well, he'll return each summer.

“Wolfville truly is an amazing place to call home.”

“Gravely Ghost Tours” are offered: Tuesdays – Sundays (no Saturdays) until Nov. 2 at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; leaving from the clock tower on Main St.

Rates: adults $10, students $5, children (12 and under) $2. Group rates are available.

WEBLINKS

wolfvillewalkingtours.com