Columbia's annual Haunted Lantern Tours will be presented on Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17, Sunday, Oct. 18, Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. The theme this year is "Wright's Ferry's Legendaries." Tours will run every half hour, beginning at 6:30 p.m., with the final tour stepping off at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 p.m. on Sunday. Guests will be guided by lantern light on the one-hour tours.

For nearly a decade, the Haunted Lantern Tours have invited audiences to experience local history in a different way. Set on the historic grounds of Mount Bethel Cemetery, 700 Locust St., Columbia, the annual production combines live theater, historical re-enactment, and authentic Columbia history. In celebration of Columbia's 300th anniversary, this year's production will focus on individuals, both celebrated and nearly forgotten, who helped shape the community that would become Columbia.

Among the featured historical figures are John Wright and Susanna Wright, whose early efforts helped transform a simple river crossing into what would eventually become Wright's Ferry and, later, Columbia. Audiences will also meet businessman, philanthropist, and abolitionist Stephen Smith, whose life and contributions left a lasting mark on the community. Other subjects will include educators, physicians, and artists.

Written and directed by Columbia native Sara Mimnall, "Wright's Ferry's Legendaries" is performed by a volunteer cast of local community actors. The production is presented by Rivertown Theatre Productions, a nonprofit community theater dedicated to combining local history with live theatrical performance.

Participants must be 13 years or older. A cash concession stand will be available to all patrons at the start of the tour. To purchase tickets, call Holly at 717-587-5368. There is a discount for groups of 10 or more people.

To learn more, visit http://www.columbiahlt.com or http://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaHLT or email hauntedlanterntour@gmail.com.