The Johnston County Heritage Center will stage its 21st annual Ghost Walk on Thursday, October 30, in Smithfield’s historic Riverside Cemetery. 

Beginning at 6 pm, five personalities from colonial to modern times will be brought back to life. Visitors will be greeted at the corner of Second and Church Streets beside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where they will be given guided tours through the cemetery. Tours end at 8 pm.

The line-up includes a Tuscarora Bear Clan Elder (portrayed by Timothy Jacobs); Dr. Calvin Jones, pioneer physician (portrayed by Larry Grey); Mattie Pou, socialite and activist (portrayed by Theressa Rose); Dr. Eula Powell Kyle, pioneer preservationist (portrayed by Kaye Brimmage); and Myrtle Thompson Cagle, aviatrix and astronaut trainee (portrayed by Darcy Dean).

Smithfield Ghost Walk Ghost setting Riverside Cemetery

Author James Parker will be on hand in the Hastings House during the event to sign copies of his book, "Ghostly North Carolina", which includes a number of Johnston County ghost stories. Organists Kelley Garris, Mark Wildcherry, and Todd Johnson will offer music on the Zimmer organ of St. Paul’s Church. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will sell barbecue sandwiches and hot dogs.

“This is a fun educational event for all ages that a lot of people look forward to,” says event chairman Matt Dean.

“This year we are introducing online reservations and advance ticket sales in hopes of avoiding long waiting times at the beginning of the event.” 

Admission charge is $5 for adults and $3 for students, payable online in advance or at the event. To make a reservation online, go to the Heritage Center’s website, johnstonnc.gov/heritage.

For further information, call the Johnston County Museum at 919-938-5912, or visit the Heritage Center’s website or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jocoheritage.

Man dressed in historical period clothes poses for the camera in a dimly lit cemetary for the Smithfield Ghost Walk