|

Spring City ‘After Dark’ history and cemetery tour tickets available

ByRobert Stevens

SPRING CITY—When the sun sets over Spring City’s historic cemeteries in October, the stories begin.

The entrance sign at the Spring City Cemetery. The cemetery is the focus of “After Dark” tours scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays in October.

The Spring City Main Street Alliance and Baxter Manor, a bed-and-breakfast inn in a restored historic home, are presenting a program called “Historic Spring City After Dark: A Halloween History & Cemetery Tour” every Friday and Saturday evening from Oct. 2-31.

Tour participants will take a hayride through the city, departing from Baxter Manor at 12 W. Main Street. Stops include two historic cemeteries where costumed guides share the true stories of pioneers, veterans, a church apostle and the families who shaped the town.

The Hansen crypt in the Spring City Cemetery is one of the historic sites featured in “After Dark” cemetery tours during October.

Organizers emphasize this is not a typical “ghost” tour. The tour consists of extensively researched history, descriptions of local traditions and a few accounts of possible paranormal experiences. It’s up to the guest to decide what to believe.

Tours begin at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with an additional 4 p.m. tour on Saturdays. Check-in at Baxter Inn opens 30 minutes before each tour. The tour departs promptly and returns about two hours later. Each tour is limited to 20 guests.

Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, bring a flashlight and dress for chilly October evenings. Spring City restaurants and shops will be open before and after tours.

Tickets are $25 per person or $20 for seniors 65 and older, military and veterans. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult, but organizers say the experience is geared to people 18 and older.

Tickets can be purchased through the tour page at baxtermanorspringcity.com or by calling (801) 541-7767. Tickets are not refundable.

A portion of ticket proceeds goes to the Spring City Main Street Alliance to restore the historical marquee at the Old Pioneer Cemetery.

Baxter Manor is offering a weekend package built around the tour: Two nights in a historic guest room (Friday and Saturday), tour admission, continental breakfast Saturday, Sunday brunch featuring the manor’s Overnight French Toast Strata and late checkout Sunday. Rates are $269 single occupancy and $309 double, with reservations required.