About Monster Month
The Story Behind the Monsters
For over two decades, Tim Murton’s Twilight Zoo has been decorating the streets of Elora with a unique collection of lantern sculptures.
During the month of October, visitors started coming to Elora from all over Southern Ontario to see the display.
In 2007, Julie Denneny and a crew of community volunteers brought the Monster March, a non-motorized parade that encourages families (including pets!) to dress up in their favourite costumes and participate , and it has been a main event during Monster Month ever since.
As popularity grew, local artists, community groups, businesses, and other organizations started adding themed events, leading to the name “Monster Month in Elora.”
In 2017, Sensational Elora, with the support of some generous sponsors, purchased the collection of the monsters, known as The Twilight Zoo, subsequently organizing storage, repair, lighting, and installation of the 100+ wire sculptures. They also accepted responsibility for the Monster March parade. Next they organized a Monster Month Committee , with representation from all participating organizations, created a website featuring all events and started marketing a coordinated “Monster Month in Elora.” event.
Spooky-themed events and haunted offerings throughout Centre Wellington include a Self-Guided Tour, Spirit and Ghost Walks, Spooky Stables, Lantern Tours, Magicians, “Monster March” , a haunted house, guided tours and theme movies. The list of events continues to grow each year, with over 50 events from more than 20 community partners in 2024.
Immerse yourself in a frightfully fun month of activities for the entire family!
About Sensational Elora
Sensational Elora – Festival of the Senses is the brain child of an amazing woman: Rhoda Lipton. Sensational Elora began in 2008 as a 2 week-long fall Festival. In early 2012, Rhoda asked Kirk McElwain to assume the role of Chair. The financial situation dictated that the physical office be closed, staff terminated and a majority of the board resigned. Unfortunately, we lost Rhoda in June of 2012.
Kirk & his wife Julie moved the office to their home, and started the rebuilding process. The most popular events from previous years were retained but scheduled throughout the year. New events, such as Jazz at Elora Centre for the Arts were added, the Board was rebuilt, new sponsors were added and the main focus of the Festival became fund-raising to combat food insecurity in Centre Wellington.
In 2017, with generous sponsor support, Sensational Elora purchased the “Twilight Zoo” from artist Tim Murton and assumed the responsibility of storage, repair and the annual installation of more than 100 wire sculpture “monsters”. A Monster Month committee was formed with membership of the many community partners who scheduled events during Monster Month and a website was created. Today, Sensational Elora has added the Twilight Zoo, The Awakening , and Monster March as major local and visitor attractions during Monster Month, along with Pumpkin Day, Empty Bowls Project, Sensational Soup Off, Fabulous Fergus Pub Night, Film on a Plate and Sensational Sounds throughout the year.
The events provide the opportunity for residents and visitors to experience and enjoy the charm and natural beauty of Elora and the surrounding area while supporting Sensational Elora’s mission of combatting food insecurity in our community. To the end of 2024, we are very proud that we have raised over $185,000.