What do you get when you combine a little bit of history with a little bit of mystery? Columbia's Haunted Lantern Tour. This year's tours will run every half hour between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 28, as well as every half hour between 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23; Saturday, Oct. 29; and Sunday, Oct. 30.

"This year's theme, 'Industry Ascending,' is a narrative of how business and industry transformed the town of Columbia through the years," said Sara Mimnall, owner of Rivertown Theatre Productions and producer and director of the tour. "Guests will be introduced to visionaries, entrepreneurs and working-class individuals that pioneered business and manufacturing throughout history. ... Columbia played a significant role in the industrialized world of the 19th century."

Mimnall noted that she wrote the script for the tour. "I've been wanting to cover the industry aspect of Columbia through the years for some time now, since it was such a big part of the town's history but was struggling with finding a way to discuss the production of goods and materials while keeping it entertaining," she stated. "The script was a long time coming, but I think I finally nailed it." She added that although the tour only takes place on two weekends, working on it behind the scenes is a year-round job, from researching and writing the script to auditioning actors and rehearsing the story.

"The goal of the tour is to educate and entertain through ominous appearances of the deceased, and I think we balance that well," Mimnall remarked. "Guests are immersed in history as if they're meeting a character in their own era or experiencing a particular historical event right as it was taking place. It's a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that will even teach you something along the way." The tour offers something for everyone, from history buffs to theater fans to anyone who enjoys spooky things, she said, adding, "We often use FX makeup or special effects lighting to give our tours just enough of a creep factor to keep you on your toes."

Still, she emphasized that the tour is family-friendly. "We're not a horror attraction," she stated. "We often recommend that parents use their own discretion when deciding if our tour is kid-friendly, as the actors do occasionally use mild profanity or discuss controversial topics like death, but that said, our youngest actress, Hailey, is 5 years old, began acting with us last year, and we haven't scared her away yet."

This year's tour will begin at Art Printing Company, 131 Locust St., and will continue down Locust Street to Coffee and Cream, the original Columbia Railroad passenger station. The Rivertowne Trolley will then take tour-goers through town before arriving at the Mount Bethel Cemetery, where the tour will conclude.

The majority of the proceeds from the tour are donated to the restoration of the historic Samuel Miller Mansion, where Art Printing Company is located. Proceeds are also donated to local nonprofits and Columbia churches.

To purchase tickets for the tour, call Holly at 717-587-5368.