Spirits of Fayette County to offer Halloween happenings next weekend
Spine-tingling tales and petrifying performances will be shared at the first “Spirts of Fayette County.”
Organizations from Brownsville, Smock and Uniontown have come together to offer guests five evenings of chilling entertainment.
“We wanted to do something different. We thought, what can we do that doesn’t already exist?” said Muriel Nuttall, executive director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce.
Nuttall explained the special events council of the chamber held a meeting and were discussing various options for a large county-wide event that would involve several organizations. The results was “Spirits of Fayette County.”
“Our goal was to build pieces so people can go from event to event,” said Nuttall.
The haunted happenings will start with the annual Uniontown Halloween parade at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The parade is sponsored by Froggy, the Pickle and Centra Bank, and is in partnership with the chamber, state Rep. Timothy Mahoney, D-South Union Township and United Way.
After the conclusion of the parade, prizes will be awarded for several categories, including floats, groups, marching bands and families.
Lineup and registration for prizes will start at 5 p.m. at North Mt. Vernon Avenue.
On Thursday, guests can see W.B. Yeats’ play, “Words Upon the Window Pane” performed by the Market Street Academy and Performing Arts Center from Brownsville. The performance will be a dinner theater presented at the Titlow Tavern in Uniontown. Tickets include the performance, as well as a special dinner that will start at 6:30 p.m. Early registration is encouraged because seating is limited.
The Market Street Academy and Performing Arts Center will do an encore performance at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Market Street Academy in Brownsville.
Ghost tours in downtown Uniontown will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. The chamber, along with volunteers, will use lantern light to lead the tour groups throughout the downtown.
“We had talked for years about doing ghost tours in Uniontown,” said Nuttall. “They (the stories) are all historical. We aren’t making any of them up. They are fervent believers, and they have helped us build the stories. Vicki Leonelli of the Uniontown Public Library, Debbie Hull from our office, and Marci McGuinness also helped with the stories.”
The tales that will be shared during the tour are historical, but will have some graphic elements that might not be suitable for children younger than age 10. Nuttall said she encourages parents to make their own decision.
Those wishing to participate in the ghost tour can pick their tour time and register by calling 724-437-4571.
After the conclusion of the tours, McGuiness will be at the Titlow Tavern to discuss the lore of the tavern and Pittsburgh Paranormal, a ghost hunting group, will be at DiMarco’s Bistro and Cantina to conduct a ghost hunt.
InSight Paranormal Investigators and Paci’s Restaurant in Brownsville will hold paranormal tours and investigations at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Also in Brownsville on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30, “Treasures from Nana’s Attic” will be set up at the Taylor Building. The event will feature a wide range of eclectic treasures available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 30.
The Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) will host “Ghost of the Gazalie” at the International Order of Odd Fellows Building on Saturday. The event will feature video footage that was captured during a paranormal investigation of the old Brownsville jail. After the screening, a BARC employee who went on the investigation will answer questions.
Abel Colley Tavern will present “Tales of the Spirits” from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The tavern, located at 7083 National Pike, Smock, will offer spooky stories of the spirits of the house told by relatives of the original homeowners.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Fayette County Association for the Blind and the Fayette County Historical Society will host “National Road Treasures,” an antique appraisal event. Organizers are encouraging people to bring antiques to Uniontown Mall to be appraised for a nominal fee.
“We’re very excited to see the treasures that will be brought in to the appraisal event at the Uniontown Mall,” said Sandra Morris, director of the Fayette County Association for the Blind. “The funds from the event will be used in our continuing efforts to provide services to those with low or no vision.”
For those wishing to explore the haunted halls of a castle, Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville will host guided ghost tours at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30. Guests wanting to skip the spookiness can take a standard history tour from 2 to 5 p.m.
The frightful festivities will conclude Sunday, Oct. 30, with “Mafia Kiss Murder Mystery Dinner” at Paci’s Lounge in Brownsville. The event also will include a paranormal investigation.
Even though the events will end Oct. 30, “Spirits of Fayette County” will return again next year, Nuttall said.
“We want to make this an annual event,” said Nuttall. “We are excited for the event. It will really be a neat weekend of activities.”
For more information, call 724-437-4571 or visit online at www.spiritsoffayettecounty.org.