Ghost tours offer glimpse of Crestview's past

The Ghosts of Crestview, a centennial event, is scheduled 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 downtown. (File photo)

CRESTVIEW — Downtown Crestview comes alive with ghosts this Friday.

THREE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

1. Learn from the spirits of Crestview as they help celebrate the city's centennial with a historical walking tour Friday on Main Street. Repeated at 15-minute intervals, the tour provides insight into Crestview's first 100 years from 10 influential residents who lived here. The tour is not a Halloween-related event. It is non-scary and suitable for people of all ages interested in Crestview history.

2. The View from the Stage theater group of Crestview will portray ghostly inhabitants, including William C. Mapoles, considered the father of Okaloosa County; and Emma Grove, dubbed "the sixth councilmember" for her attendance and input at council meetings.

3. It starts and ends at the Peaden Distillery, with stops along Main Street in between. Books and Centennial-themed souvenirs will be available for purchase at the distillery, located in Main Street's historic Fox Theater. Coney Island and Pawsitively Scrumptious will be open during the tours and they will have specials in honor of the occasion.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND

The ghost walk is the 10th of 12 events planned by the city of Crestview for its 1916-2016 Centennial celebration.

Rae Schwartz, one of the event's organizers, said, "Any city is a product of the special people whose vision and passion helped create and shape it. Reading about Crestview's history (in a wonderful book like 'Crestview: The Forkland') is a great way to learn about our past; but watching our history come to life is much more immediate — and more fun!"

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Ghosts of Crestview, a Crestview centennial event

WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, with additional tours at 15-minute intervals

WHERE: Peaden Brothers Distillery, 382 Main St. N., Crestview

TICKETS: $5; purchase at Coney Island, Pawsitively Scrumptious, Casbah Coffee Company and Rustic Reflections, all in downtown Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ghost tours offer glimpse of Crestview's past