Photos by Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Mary Bennett, of the Brüka Theatre in Reno, portrays Elizabeth Bliss on Oct. 11 during a tour of the Bliss Mansion with Chamber of Commerce Leadership students. Bennett was preparing for the Kit Carson Trail Ghost Walk, which takes place Saturday.
Those who want to simultaneously kick off their Nevada Day celebration and the Halloween season can do so Saturday at the 15th annual Kit Carson Trail Ghost Walk buildings tours.
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is the theme for this year's walk, featuring local performers dressed as Carson residents from the days of yore.
Tours will also feature a Shakespeare theme, for which organizers said the cast and crew "will use a very liberal take on history."
"It's a chance to have fun," said Reno resident Mary Bennett. A member of the Brüka Theatre, she organizes and directs the local ensemble cast. "I absolutely love Shakespeare. His themes are universal. Most of his themes tie in with seven (different) plot lines at once.
"So there's a lot of directions we can go."
While the locales of the Ghost Walk and the history behind each building and original occupants are preserved, and that information is liberally mixed with legend in every performance - the theme of the day lends to "ad-lib and audience interaction," Bennett promised.
"This year's theme is such a great one - so bizarre," she said. "We just have such great local actors who really make it fun for everyone."
Bennett has been involved in some capacity with the Ghost Walk for each of its 15 years - the first, as a reporter.
"I know what it's like to be on all sides of it," she said.
Two 90-minute walking tours will take place throughout the day. Following through with the Shakespeare theme, the pair of tours are aptly named "Eye of Newt" and "Toe of Frog."
Despite adding a second tour, organizers expect a sell-out crowd.
"That's why we do suggest getting tickets in advance," said Joy Evans, special-events coordinator for the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, the event host. "We'll get anywhere from 35 to 40 people per tour - about 600 total on the day."
Proceeds from the Ghost Walk go to help Carson City redevelopment.
"We're looking forward to a special year," Evans said.
Ghost walk
What: 15th annual Kit
Carson Trail Ghost Walk
When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday. Tours depart every half-hour
Where: Tours start at Telegraph Square (Telegraph and Curry). Will-call tickets are also available for pickup there
Theme: "Something Wicked This Way Comes"
For advance tickets: Visit www.carsoncitychamber.com or call 882-1565.