This ghostly night would not be possible, said Henderson, without the help of Ghost Walk volunteers, those that live in the neighborhoods where the Ghost Walk will wind through, City of Santa Paula, Police Department and Citizens Patrol, "all wonderful. . ."Also wonderful as the ghost stories. "Do I have a favorite? Of course, mine!" Henderson noted with a laugh. "That's not a fair question. . .they're all excellent."Ghost Walk '99 does have something new with banners stretched along Main Street, a "big outlay but now the event has sponsors that compensate such expenses," Henderson said.Although many people might think Ghost Walk equals Halloween equals kids, that's not the case; two-thirds of ghost walkers are the adults the event is geared to, although children 7 and older are welcome to enjoy the ghostly tales.The Ghost Walk is about a mile at a leisurely pace, but wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight.Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children and all students with school IDs; tours leave every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Although you can just show up at The Mill, reservations are highly urged due to the popularity of the event, call the Hauntline at 525-3073.
Ghost Walk '99: The dead livelier than you think with SPTC's phantasmagorical downtown tour
October 15, 1999
Santa Paula News
The living can be exasperating enough as it is, but how about spending the evening with the dead?
Ghost Walk '99 will offer insights into not only the lives - and untimely deaths - of a variety of Santa Paulans but also a bit of local history and architecture when the popular event starts Saturday night.This hair-raising fundraiser for the Santa Paula Theater Center is a unique way to take drama to the streets through various tales guaranteed to bring a tingle to the senses. It begins with with a team of "ghostwriters" researching and writing about the untimely deaths - by murder, accident or suicide - of characters from Santa Paula's history. The stories are either about real people or characters fine-tuned for fact-based happenings, and are portrayed by fine SPTC actors.An army of volunteer Ghost Guides take walkers step-by-scary-step back in time to meet those dead with stories to tell.This year the Ghost Walk will return to its beginnings with a route that will focus in the downtown area, said event coordinator Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson.The First Christian Church, stately Victorian offices of Bob Russell CPA, the Presbyterian Church, Santa Clara Valley Bank, the Main Street Arcade, the Logan House across from the Glen Tavern Inn (the latter already known as a ghostly hangout), Methodist Church Faulkner Hall courtyard, Morton Bay Fig tree and back to The Mill - the launching point for the ghostly tour - are all featured.Now in its sixth year, Ghost Walk has grown, not only in attendance (almost 2,000 ghost walkers last year) but in sophistication: "We didn't know we needed permission and didn't close any streets our first year," said Henderson with a laugh.The Ghost Walk isn't a terrifying experience, just a unique one with shades of the unknown (from the undead) that offers the opportunity to see street drama as well as learn local history.The cast of ghoulish characters include rueful Rosa, the bridled bride and runs through a gamut of ghosts to include Luigi's experience with the Billiwhack monster who got his goat, Headless Joe, spunky Sparky, and a grief stricken young matron who learns the hard way never to jilt a gigolo. And there are more ghostly presences to update Ghost Walkers on the past.A phantasmagorical journey with thrills, chills, entertainment and (gasp!) refreshments for sale, the Ghost Walk beckons those daring enough to wander the dark, shadowy streets of Santa Paula, you companions of the here and now on a journey of the hereafter.
