Check out a few new haunts

The start of fall often heralds a quieter time for beach towns on the Oregon Coast. Not so for Lincoln City’s Taft District, which really comes alive in the run up to Halloween — so to speak.

The return of the Haunted Taft ghost tour this Saturday, Oct. 7, means the area’s dearly departed residents can be found roaming the historic bayfront accompanied by the occasional mythical creature, every Saturday night through the end of the month.

Now in its sixth year, Haunted Taft is a fun and spooky walking tour featuring tales of Lincoln City ghosts and local legends.

This year’s Halloween Tours feature stories told by the light of the Lincoln City Glass Center’s glowing furnaces. Along the way, guests will also hear tales of the northwest’s most famous hijacking, the Ghost Schooner of Siletz Bay, the pirate skeletons of Cascade Head and how roving packs of Red Devils created mayhem going back all the way back to the 1930s.

And, beware: this season’s tours might feature a few new surprises on top of the old favorites.

“The outpouring of support from the Taft community has allowed us to add even more surprises and new stories to the tour,” said Shellie Stuart, tour organizer and executive director of the Bay Area Merchants Association. “I’d especially like to thank Explore Lincoln City for their generous

support through grants and promotional opportunities as well as Taft businesses Oregon Coast TODAY, the Sapphire Center and The Photography Studio, who’ve stepped up as sponsors of the 2023 season.”

As in years past, the Sapphire Center is where guests check-in and begin their tour. Owner Claire Hagen said her store in the historic Bailey Building is home to many spirits, but emphasizes that they are playful, not bad.

“There’s no shortage of unexplained happenings in Taft.” she said. “We’ll never run out of stories to tell.”

For a complete schedule and to buy tickets, go to HauntedTaft.com.