The ad for the 1984 hit movie “Ghostbusters” perfectly describes Eatonton this Halloween: “Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Have you or your family ever seen a spook or ghost? If the answer is ‘yes,’ then don’t wait another minute. Call the professionals ...”
In Putnam County, that means Georgia Writers Museum (GWM), with its annual presentation of Haunted Eatonton, featuring ghost tours delivering the spookiest way to celebrate Halloween.
When GWM began planning this popular event, it needed a team of its own Ghostbusters. It found the cast at The Arts Barn, who will reenact each spooky story with 100 percent accuracy (except for any parts of the stories we completely made up).
Regardless, new sites join traditional stops on the tour this year, including the Putnam County Courthouse, Eatonton’s Abandoned Jail, Union Church Cemetery, and the historic Eatonton Livery.
New stories will be told at the Adele Theater, historic Eatonton School, and Panola Hall, haunted by Sylvia, Eatonton’s most famous ghost.
Each location has previously been investigated by a team of professional Ghostbusters, better known as members of the Southeastern Institute of Paranormal Research. They used specialized ghost-hunting equipment to ensure that all sites on the tour truly are haunted.
But what makes Haunted Eatonton even more special are the living folks who come together each year to ensure everyone can enjoy these haunted walking tours. Special permission is gained at each site so guests can visit after hours, and local law enforcement ensures all guests — and ghosts — stay safe.
The staff and volunteers who make Haunted Eatonton possible are the real spirits behind the scenes, and sponsorship by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce helps make Haunted Eatonton a spooky reality.
The 90-minute Haunted Eatonton walking tours will be held Oct. 24-26 (this Thursday to Saturday), beginning at 7 p.m. from GWM, with doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for Friday and Saturday nights remain available at $40 each or $35 each for two or more tickets.
Register online as soon as possible at georgiawritersmuseum.org/hauntedeatonton for a frightfully good time.