Take an immersive lantern-lit journey through Mount Bethel Cemetery on a unique tour that blends history and a bit of haunting when Rivertown Theatre Productions presents Columbia's Haunted Lantern Tour.

This year's tour will feature the theme "Fatality's Last Stand." Tours will be held on Fridays, Oct. 10 and 17; Sundays, Oct. 12 and 19; and Saturday, Oct. 18. 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 at 8 p.m. on Sundays.

"The theme for this year's tour grew out of reflection on a past production," shared Sara Mimnall, owner of Rivertown Theatre Productions and producer and director of Columbia's Haunted Lantern Tour. "Back in 2018, I touched on the subject of disease in a tour called 'Mortality Within,' which also explored famine, illness and the hardships of daily life. That theme stayed with me, and I knew I wanted to return to it one day with a sharper focus."

This year's tour centers on epidemics and pandemics that shaped Columbia's history.

"Audiences will encounter characters whose lives were marked by outbreaks of tuberculosis, diphtheria, smallpox, cholera, the Spanish Flu and many more remarkable diseases," Mimnall explained. "It's not just about the tragedies themselves, but about how families and communities faced them."

During the one-hour tour, people will experience a theatrical production featuring costumed performers.

"Each monologue offers a glimpse into the struggles past citizens of Columbia endured, the fear they faced and the resilience they carried into their final days," Mimnall remarked.

Mount Bethel Cemetery provides an ideal background for the tour, she noted, adding, "It's the perfect setting, not only for the atmosphere, but because so many of the stories we share are connected to the very people buried there. Walking among their headstones makes the history feel immediate and personal."

Each year, Mimnall changes the theme of the tour, incorporating an original script, new characters and a fresh storyline so returning patrons can enjoy a unique experience every time they take a tour.

She added that the tour is a labor of love, with every element - from research and writing to acting, directing and guiding the guests - performed by volunteers.

"The cast is made up entirely of volunteers from various local communities, not professional actors," she said. "Some have a little bit of previous stage experience, but for many this is their very first time performing. I keep auditions open to anyone who's interested, because I believe passion and willingness matter more than a resume. Part of the joy of this tour is working with people of all backgrounds, teaching them theatrical skills along the way and watching them grow into their roles."

She said this approach gives the performances a genuine, heartfelt quality that connects with audiences.

"I am continually humbled by the devotion of our cast and crew. The actors have embraced their roles with a rare kind of courage, stepping into lives shadowed by hardship and gruesome deaths," she stated. "Their work is more than performance; it is an act of preservation, a way of keeping memory alive."

Mimnall emphasized that the lantern tour is not a ghost tour, but rather an opportunity to experience living history.

"It's a guided walk through history, told through the voices of people who lived and died here," she said. "Audiences can expect powerful storytelling, historically grounded characters and an immersive candlelit atmosphere. Whether you come for the history, the chills or the emotion of it all, I think you'll leave with a new perspective on the past - and maybe even on the present."

Above all, she said, the tours are the perfect combination of historical education and theatrical entertainment.

"Audiences aren't just seeing history; they're experiencing it through the dedication and passion of local people who care deeply about preserving and sharing our town's stories," she said. "It's immersive, educational and heartfelt, all at the same time. I strongly encourage everyone to attend Columbia's Haunted Lantern Tour at least once."

Tours will depart from St. John's Episcopal Church, 616 Locust St., Columbia, where guests should check in on arrival. Advance registration is encouraged as tours often sell out. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling Holly at 717-587-5368.

For more information, visit http://www.columbiahlt.com.