Oct. 10, 2017
Contact: Andrea Saffle, HHDA
Marlo Dorsey, VisitHattiesburg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hattiesburg to Host Dearly Departed Walking Tours Halloween Night
HATTIESBURG- Sure to be the talk of the town this spooky Halloween season, Downtown Hattiesburg is hosting its inaugural Dearly Departed Walking Tours in partnership with the Avenues Alliance, Hub City Players, and VisitHattiesburg.
Hosted by the ghost of Captain William Hardy, tour takers will be ghoulishly entertained in Historic Downtown Hattiesburg and Oaklawn Cemetery as theystep back in time to see some of Hattiesburg's legendary characters dressed in authentic era attire. Tours will depart from the Saenger Theater every 30 minutes starting at 6:00 p.m. with the last tour beginning at 9:00 p.m.
"We are thrilled to be hosting this tour on Halloween night, and our guests are in for a few tricks and a few treats too," Andrea Saffle, executive director for Downtown Hattiesburg, said. "This gives us the chance to share urban legends and a few sketchy tales from our past while enjoying the beauty of our city after dark."
Hub City Players will have a cast of actors throughout the tour dressed in 1920s and 1930s attire, playing specific character roles.
"We love a good time!" Mike Lopinto, director of The Hub City Playerssaid. "When presented with the opportunity to be creative, have fun, and highlight our city, we knew we had to be a part of this ghoulishly fun evening!"
According to the Ghost of William Hardy, who is one of the tour guides, and is also known as Hattiesburg Attorney Carey Varnado, Downtown Hattiesburg has seen many intriguing people and events through the years since it was founded. He states Halloween is a night when many of those people make their presence known again.
“I never dreamed my little Burg would see such fascinating characters and happenings. Some of those characters may return with me on Halloween from the other side, so guests should be on the lookout,” he said.
The guided walking tours will highlight various locations in central downtown, ending at the Porter Pub where tour takers will board the HattiesburgTrolley to the Oak Lawn Cemetery. The tour will last approximately 55 minutes and will include twosnacks and two beverages, which are included in the $25 ticket price.
“We’ll begin at the Saenger Theater, which has several fascinating stories of its own. As for the rest, our tour guides don’t want us to let the cat out of the bag, so guests will have to just get their tickets and see for themselves," Saffle said.
The event is open to children 12 years and older with the supervision of an adult 18 years or older. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure availability.
Tickets are available for purchase on the Downtown Hattiesburg’s Facebook event page.
Refunds will be issued only in the event of tour cancellation due to weather.
###