By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
With more than 200 years of history within its walls, the village of Baldwinsville is bound to be a bit haunted.
The Baldwinsville Center for the Arts is encouraging villagers to share tales of ghosts and spooky encounters they have had in their homes in the Calling All Ghosts contest. The winner’s story will be incorporated into the third annual Ghost Walk — which takes place Oct. 4, 5 and 6 — by a playwright from Syracuse University.
BCA Board President Jim Dale said the idea of the contest came from attendees of last year’s Ghost Walk, which traces a path of historical horror through the village. Actors portray real figures from Baldwinsville’s past or composite characters to share stories of murders, drownings and plagues that really happened in B’ville.
“It was amazing how many people came through and said, ‘You know, I live in the village and I have ghosts in my house,’” Dale said. “They volunteered so many of their own tales, it seemed like a no-brainer.”
All contest participants must be 18 years or older and currently reside in Baldwinsville. A valid Baldwinsville street address is required for entry. Submit stories at baldwinsvillearts.org. The deadline for submitting stories is July 30. The winner will receive four tickets to the Ghost Walk.
“The more they tell us, the easier it will be to pare that down into a usable script,” Dale said.
The contest winner will see their story come to life, but the ghost of honor won’t necessarily be portrayed at its residence. The winner’s story will be staged elsewhere along the trail.
“We didn’t want people to have us barging in on them to see their ghosts,” Dale said.
As for Dale, who owns the Baldwinsville Bed and Breakfast with his wife Phyllis, he does not have any spooky stories to share.
“We do not have a ghost here. This is a very friendly place,” he said of the B&B, but he added, “My neighbors have said a million times they have ghosts in the attic — I don’t go up there.”
Dale said he is not surprised to hear there might be spirits of B’ville past floating around, given the village’s age and history.
“There are lots of tales that go along with these houses,” he said.
Last year’s tour featured stories such as the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and the murder of Pamela Palmer, a Durgee Junior High School student who was murdered in 1970.
BCA writers source their Ghost Walk stories from archives at the Baldwinsville Public Library and from local historians Bonnie Kisselstein and Sue McManus.
The Ghost Walk has grown in popularity and is scheduled for three nights this year, up from two nights. Thanks to the event’s popularity, the BCA has gained momentum for its other events.
“Kicking off the new Ghost Walk in 2017 has really breathed new life into the organization,” Dale said, adding that the BCA’s higher profile has allowed it to “offer the largest range of arts experiences that we could deliver.”
To that end, the BCA will hold Music in the Parks on July 20. Admission is $25 and includes access to all of the following five concerts:
• 1 p.m. Brig Juice, Baldwin Canal Square
• 3 p.m. Ménage À Soul, Mercer Park
• 4:30 p.m. Jazzbone, Mercer Park
• 7 p.m. Nancy Kelly, Bud Light Amphitheater at Paper Mill Island (headline event)
• 8:30 p.m.The Ripcords, Bud Light Amphitheater at Paper Mill Island
Tickets are available at baldwinsvillearts.org, and attendees can pick up their wristbands at any of the concerts. Food trucks will be on-site at Mercer Park and Paper Mill Island. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs,
This event is renowned local jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly’s first-ever performance on Paper Mill Island, Dale said.
“We’re really excited to have her and the village was really excited. They wanted to see if we can anchor this one in and have it year after year,” he said. “If you do nothing but come to the headliner, you’ll have your money’s worth because Nancy’s a wonderful performer.”
Next month, the BCA will host Shakes-Beer in collaboration with local breweries. More details will be available soon, but the event will feature performances from the works of William Shakespeare interspersed with beer tastings.
Dale said the BCA is looking for volunteers and even has a couple of slots open on its board.
“We do have a growing list of volunteers for the events, which is good, but we could always use people,” he said.
Those who are interested in volunteer opportunities or applying for the board can contact Dale via the BCA website at baldwinsvillearts.org/contactus.asp.
