Spooky goings on haunt the rural counties

Dayton folks looking for Halloween activities don't have to go to Reno or Carson City for haunted fun, Lyon and Storey counties both have their share of spooky events.

For the third year, the docents from the Historical Society of Dayton Valley offer a spirited walking tour of Old Town Dayton, featuring ghostly pioneers of Nevada's first settlement.

The event is from 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31, and starts at the Dayton Museum at Shady Lane and Logan Alley.

Visitors can pick up a ghostly map and get it stamped by the docents portraying the town's pioneers at each stop on the tour, and hear the true, scary tales of Old Town Dayton.

Linda Clements of the Historical Society of Dayton Valley said the docents will dress up as actual, though since departed, residents of Dayton from the 1850s to the 20th Century, including Ol' Virginny, who gave Virginia City its name and was one of the first to winter in the area that is now Dayton. Another character will be Emma Loftus, whose diaries provided essential information to historians, and Chester Barton, a well-known Dayton lawman.

"They are all former departed residents of Dayton people who lived here for a long time or passed through," she said. "They are the pioneers, the early people of Dayton. Many are buried in the cemetery on the hill and a few went on to other places."

She said one of the characters is a man who came to Dayton to save money to bring his wife and baby from Utah, but instead drowned trying to cross a flooded Carson River.

Another character is Frank Bugby, an dynamite-obsessed justice of the peace who once blew out all the windows in town playing with explosives. He will perform mock weddings for visitors for $5 each.

The regular tour is free, but donations are always welcome, and funds go to the preservation of Old Town Dayton.

Clements said the first year the event was confined to the cemetery, but it attracted so many people that it was moved to town.

There are prizes for the children, she said, and the restaurants will be open in case someone needs to warm up.

Other events are scheduled elsewhere in Dayton and in Virginia City, which is holding its annual "Ghost Night" with a Goblin Parade and Costume Contest, Safe Trick or Treating and more.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.

DAYTON

Spirited Walking Tour, 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Dayton Museum, 135 Shady Lane. Families can join ghostly pioneers for a "spirited" walking tour of Old Town Dayton. Pick up your ghostly map at the Dayton Museum and get it stamped by all the ghostly pioneers. Children can win prizes. $5 buys you a certified mock wedding. Call 246-0505, 246-8765, 246-6316 or 246-5543.

Haunted House and Family Fun, 6-8 p.m., family time with mild frights, 8-10 p.m., truly terrifying haunts, adults only, today and Saturday; Wednesday, Thursday and Oct. 31. River Vista, 246 Dayton Valley Road. Sponsored by Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties. Visitors are asked to bring a food item for the Dayton food bank and receive $1 off the entry fee of $7 per person; $25 for a family of five. Oct. 31 event includes a barbecue at 11:30 a.m. with bounce house and music.

Fright Night in Dayton, 7-9 p.m., Thursday and Oct. 31, at the Dayton Valley Golf and Country Club, 101 Palmer Drive. Halloween comedy show with beverages available. Cost is $15 in advance for the show only; $30 for dinner and show. Call 246-7888, ext. 1, or 336-7979.

Autumn Festival & Pumpkin Patch, today and Saturday at Community Roots Nursery, Highway 50 at Second Avenue. Join the fun at our annual fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch. Buy your pumpkins and enjoy Pumpkin Bowling and Pumpkin Gold. Support local youth programs with every purchase you make. Call 246-7550.

Trick or Treat for kids, noon-3 p.m. Oct. 31 at Riverview Corners, 140 Douglas St.. Children's safe trick or treating (ages toddler through 12 years).

Halloween Fun at Community Treasures, noon-2 p.m., Oct. 31 at Community Treasurers, 80 Shady Lane. Halloween festivities include tarot card readings, trick or treats and "stuff a bag" full of clothes, shoes, and purses for only $5. Call 246-2466.

MOUND HOUSE

Creation Celebration, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31, Bread of Life, 10042 Highway 50 East, Mound House. Walk through the days of creation one at a time. Come dressed as your favorite creature God has made, if you like. A safe and family-friendly alternative to "Trick or Treating." Call 530-8297.

Halloween Bash Grand Opening Celebration, 9:30 p.m.-3:30 a.m., Wednesday, NV50, 10051 East Highway 50. Features costume contests, B-Boy Battles, live hip-hop performances by Big T and Legion (Keeps, Truth, D.Nice, Slave, Trip, Swagga & Katalist). Must be 18 or older; ID required. Call 246-4477.

GOLD HILL

Halloween Party Dinner Dance with Red Rose, 5 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31 at the Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main St. Fine dining from 5-9 p.m. Costume contest and live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. Call 847-0111.

"Mediums, Psychics and Séances in the Victorian West," Tuesday 7 p.m. at the Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main St., Gold Hill. $25. Call 847-0111.

VIRGINIA CITY

4th annual Goblin Parade, 5 p.m. at the Virginia City Jerky Company, 208 South C St.. Lineup and registration will begin at 4 p.m. The parade will have three judges offering awards for Best Costume, Scariest Costume, and Most Original Costume, in adult and child categories. Child is younger than 16. Entrance to the parade is free; donations are accepted.

Safe Trick Or Treating on C Street beginning at dusk, with many stores, saloons and restaurants open to hand out candy for the little goblins!

"Haunted Hallways" tour of the historic Fourth Ward School will be held from 6-8 p.m. Everyone believes the school is haunted. Find out for your self on Ghost Night. Cost is $5 for adults; $3 for kids ages 6-16. Call 847-0975.

The Silver Terrace Cemeteries will be open for the brave-hearted to wander through from 6-10 p.m. Bring a flashlight. Cost is $4 for adults; $2 for kids.

Haunted Train Rides on the V&T, 6 p.m., 7-8 p.m. F Street Depot. This year they will have an enclosed car in case of cold weather. Who knows what may pop out at you in the tunnel! Cost is $10 for adults; $4 for kids. Call 847-4FUN.

Haunted Mill on the Hill at the Comstock Gold Mill across from the train depot, 6-10 p.m. This will be the scariest event of them all, the spirits say, with lots of frightful goings-on. Cost is $4 for adults and $2 for kids; or $10 for families of four. Call 847-4FUN.

Halloween Punk Party with Kut Pile of Carson City, 7 p.m. at Piper's Opera House, 12 North B St. Tickets are $5 at the door. Call 847-0433.

Death of a Doornail, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1, at Piper's Opera House, 12 North B St. Murder Mystery dinner theater. Cost is $25 for dinner and show. Call 847-0433.