A spooky weekend in support of United Way

The TTC is bringing back its annual Halloween Fest this month, moving the family-friendly event to a new home: the transit agency's century-old Danforth Garage on Danforth Avenue.

The two-day fundraiser runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, according to a TTC news release. Admission is $7, with children two and under admitted free. Proceeds go to United Way Greater Toronto.

Visitors will be able to brave a haunted bus bay, go trick-or-treating and take part in a Halloween carnival featuring a barbecue, a bounce house and a maze. A kid-friendly bus bay will also be open alongside the creepier one, though the TTC notes parental discretion is advised and the scares will be tailored to the audience.

TTC's Halloween Fest is an important part of our United Way campaign, providing an opportunity to further support and engage with our communities,

TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali, quoted in the release, encouraged visitors to come see how staff and pensioners transform the garage into a Halloween destination that is, in his words, "both terrific and terrifying. Join us for a frightfully fun weekend of monsters, ghouls, fun characters, and trick-or-treating while raising money for an important cause."

Cash-free event, costumes optional

Costumes are welcome but optional, and TTC-themed merchandise will be available for purchase. The event will be entirely cash-free, including admission, food and merchandise, the TTC said.

The event is made possible through sponsorship from ATU Local 113, as well as the No Frills stores at 1022 King St. W. and 42 Hanna Ave.

A look inside a piece of TTC history

The venue itself is a draw. Originally called Danforth Carhouse, the Edwardian-style facility began servicing streetcars for the Toronto Civic Railways in 1915. The TTC took over operations in 1921 and introduced its Peter Witt streetcars to the site.

After the Bloor-Danforth subway opened in 1966, the facility was converted into an all-bus garage and operated that way until 2002. Today, it houses the TTC's heritage barns and serves as an office for subway operations.

Danforth Garage is located at 1627 Danforth Ave., near Coxwell Station, making it an easy trip for GTA residents travelling by subway along the Bloor-Danforth line.