Create Columbia has announced events showcasing the fun and artistry of Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 28, and on Sunday, Oct. 29. The Halloween House Tour in Columbia will return for a third year, and plans have been expanded to include a Masquerade the evening before.

The Venue at Garth, 22 S. Second St., Columbia, will be the site of the masked dance from 6 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 28. The theme will be "The Roaring '20s," and the event will feature hors d'oeuvres, beverages and live music. Guests have the option of wearing costumes and masks inspired by attire worn in the 1920s.

Tickets should be prepurchased by Saturday, Oct. 21, by calling Kay Leader at 717-449-0231. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door. Those who have not prepurchased tickets are advised to call to inquire about the availability of remaining tickets.

The Halloween House Tour will be held on Oct. 29 from 2 to 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to visit the participating venues at their own pace and in any order. The locations will be four private homes and four non-residential properties.

At Mount Bethel Cemetery, notable markers and mausoleums will be showcased as part of mini tours that will begin throughout the event. Attendees may stop by the Caretaker's Cottage for Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) activities.

Attendees may also visit Art Printing, whose building began as the home of Samuel Miller. It was sold to the Columbia Bank & Bridge Company in 1811 and continued in use by that organization until 1872. The history of the building includes the Underground Railroad and notable contemporaries, including Thaddeus Stevens, William Whipper, and Stephen Smith. Chris Raudabaugh, the current owner, will share stories about experiences in this building.

At Columbia Historic Preservation Society, the organization's president, Chris Vera, will share local ghost stories and sightings around Columbia. The organization is located in the original building of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church, and it is dedicated to the preservation of the river town.

Fragments of the Past will feature creepy collections in the back room as well as a special discount.

At the homes of Dave and Abby Krouse, Dan and Donna Manuel, Stephen and Jill Palatucci and Jim and Miki Ross, tour participants will see both vintage and modern Halloween decor. Features will include an original straight jacket, spiders, skeletons, a graveyard, a witch's lair and a haunted garden.

The Rosses will also offer a bonfire and apple cider. Parking for this stop is available off Klinesville Road behind the Victorian building on the corner of Old Chickies Hill Road and Klinesville Road. Attendees should look for the Trolley Lane sign on Klinesville Road.

Tickets for the tour will be available for purchase at the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They may also be purchased at Mount Bethel Cemetery on the day of the tour from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cash or checks will be accepted for ticket purchases, and purchases made by credit card will include an additional processing fee.

These events are made possible through sponsorships by Aberrant Investments, Foresters of America, Columbia Lions Club, and Sunsnappers.

For more information on the events, visit http://www.facebook.com/createcolumbia.

Create Columbia is a nonprofit organization that promotes Columbia as a creative and vital community.