By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
If you’re interested in ghosts, ghouls and things that go “bump” in the night, then Beaufort County is a great place to be in the days leading up to Halloween on Oct. 31.
Several hauntingly-fabulous events are planned over the next week or so.
First up is the “Hoofprints Ghost Story Concert” featuring local storyteller Terry Rollins in historic Bath. That event in planned for Saturday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
“By a small wood fire on the lawn of the Bonner House, Rollins will bring to life some scary Tar Heel stories at the beginning of the Halloween season,” said Bea Latham, historic interpreter and assistant manager at Historic Bath State Historic Site. “Don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.”
Rollins warns that this spooky event is not suitable for children younger than 8 years old. The event is free and open to the public; the Bonner House is located at the corner of Main and Front streets in Bath. In case of rain, the storytelling session will be moved to the orientation room of the Historic Bath Visitor Center.
The Deplorable Folly Players of Washington, an informal group of local actors, will present the short comedy, “A Wedding to Die For,” as part of this year’s Monsters on Main celebration.
The celebration will be staged nightly from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. The show will take place on the lawn of 520 East Main Street in Washington; exact show times will be posted on a sign at the venue, according to a news release.
Monsters on Main is free and open to children of all ages. The event draws an estimated 500 people each Halloween night, organizers said. That number is based on the amount of candy that gets parceled out during the festivities.
“A Wedding to Die For” focuses on the marriage of Dr. Tad Avuncular, king of the goblins, to the Disney villain Maleficent. The unlikely twosome is joined in matrimony by a vampire with an attitude; after the wedding, the monsters will dance to a handful of familiar celebratory tunes.
In addition to a script and cast of eight performers, Monsters on Main is enhanced this year by the increased use of props and special effects, said Riley Potts Simpson, artistic director.
“It’s going to be delightfully diabolical in every way,” said Simpson, who figures prominently in the show along with her daughter, Raven.
“The smiles of the adults or that look of uncertainty from the children … it’s amazing to see in their eyes the question of, ‘Should I be scared or is this really intriguing to see?’” said Crystal Holman, an actor in the show who said she’s looking forward to interacting with the audience. “To me, that is what this is all about: entertainment.”
For more information about Monsters on Main, call Simpson at 252-974-2856. The players have started a Monsters on Main fan page on Facebook, and the group encourages traffic from users of that social-networking site.
Goose Creek State Park is getting into the spirit of Halloween this year with a special program Oct. 30. “Haunting Night Sounds” is planned for 7 p.m. and includes a night time hike along the park’s Live Oak Trail. Meet at the second paving parking lot and dress for the weather. The program is free.
The third annual “Washington Haunts” tour has been scheduled for the evening of Oct. 30. The one-hour walking tour promises 200 years of ghosts, graves, legends, murders and history in historic downtown Washington.
Tours begin at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. at The Map Room, located at 201 West Main Street in Washington. Advance reservations must be made by 5 p.m. on Oct. 29; for more information, call 252-948-9415.
Tickets for adults are $10 if paid by Oct. 29 and $15 the night of the tours. Children 12 years old and under can take the tour for $5. Ticket sales are cash and check only; proceeds benefit the programs of Downtown Washington on the Waterfront.