Create Columbia wants to make the river town a Halloween destination. The group, whose mission is to promote the arts in Columbia, will host two Halloween-themed events on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Sunday, Oct. 30.

On Oct. 29, the group will host a vendor event in the Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., from noon to 2 p.m. The event will showcase antique and vintage Halloween decorations, with a collector on hand to discuss the items and answer questions. The next day, Oct. 30, the second annual Halloween House Tour will be featured. It will run from 3 to 8 p.m. and will consist of four private homes and four public properties.

"This is not a scary tour," said Kay Leader, a member of Create Columbia. "It's an opportunity to see Halloween decorations and maybe get some inspiration for your own house."

Tour-goers may proceed through the route at their own pace and in any order. Two venues will have limited hours during the tour. Mount Bethel Cemetery, located at 700 Locust St., will offer mini tours from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and will be open for exploration until 7 p.m. Art Printing Co., 131 Locust St., will be part of the tour from 3 to 6 p.m. Both venues are also participating in the Haunted Lantern Tour, which will run concurrently to the house tour.

Additional sites on the house tour include the Columbia School of Music, the Columbia Market House and a variety of homes that will be decorated for the holiday.

Leader noted that last year's inaugural tour was well-received. "I'm still getting positive feedback and still hearing good things about last year's tour," she stated.

Denise Brubaker, a member of Create Columbia who participated in the first tour, will again open her home this year. She and her husband, Gary, are Halloween enthusiasts who keep a downstairs room decorated for the holiday year-round.

"I like this tour, because all of the stops are different," Denise remarked. "I don't decorate like anyone else on the tour, and you're going to see something unique at each location." She also emphasized that even though her home was on last year's tour, visitors will see new things this time around.

Proceeds from the tour will help fund Create Columbia's mission and its projects, including providing scholarships for students to pursue music or voice lessons. The tour is made possible through sponsorships by Aberrant Investments LLC, Columbia-Middletown Elks BPOE 1074, Foresters of America, Columbia Fraternal Association, American Legion Post 372, Columbia Lions Club, Sunsnappers and Chickies Rock Moose 307.

Tickets for the tour may be purchased at the Columbia Market House from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, or from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29. Tickets will also be for sale at Mount Bethel Cemetery on Oct. 30 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/createcolumbia.