Spooky business: Ghost hunters lead Halloween tour in Virginia City

VIRGINIA CITY - Ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts will find like-minded companions in one of Nevada's oldest communities this Halloween.

Bats in the Belfry Ghost Hunting Tours will host All Hallows Eve 2009, a paranormal event, Saturday, Oct. 31, in Virginia City.

The evening begins at 7 p.m. with dinner catered by Julia Boulette's, during which paranormal experts from Ghost Posse, Inc. of Reno will speak, followed by four hours of ghost hunting.

"There will be four or five panelists, each with an area of expertise to explain everything from various tools that are used in ghost hunting, as well as information about ghosts and orbs and the controversy surrounding them," explained Debbie Bender, who co-owns Bats in the Belfry with her partner Tom Cruz. "We'll focus on relevant information as well as the proper way to conduct and the etiquette of a paranormal investigation."

Tools to be covered include Frank's Box, which purportedly allows otherworldly voices to be heard in real-time as opposed to recording devices that provide delayed information, as well as Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) and Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) detectors.

The tour stops have not yet been announced, but Bender anticipates visits to both well-known and obscure locations.

"We hope this opens a door for people to experience a paranormal investigation first-hand and to have a really good time," she said. "We welcome skeptics and non-skeptics alike and would love to grow this into an annual event."

Bender and Cruz started Bats in the Belfry in February as a way to marry their interest in history with their love of ghost hunting. More than a year was spent talking with Virginia City locals and verifying information before the couple was ready to launch their endeavor.

They conduct regular ghost hunting tours by reservation each week, but look forward to this evening of in-depth study.

"We wanted to make sure the information we included couldn't be debunked," Cruz said. "Which will also be part of All Hallows Eve. Everyone will be split into groups and after going their separate ways for the investigation portion, we'll reconvene to discuss or debunk what they've experienced."

Cruz added that participants will also be asked to abide by four rules: no intoxication, no provoking, no seances and no Ouija boards. Anyone not observing these will be asked to leave.

Participants are encouraged to dress warm and are invited to bring any of their own ghost hunting devices.