MONROE — Finding real ghosts in Monroe might seem far-fetched but it could happen.
With Halloween around the corner, Monroe Arts Center is welcoming one of the country’s best known “ghost hunters,” Dustin Pari, for a special visit to its Monroe campus, where — among other activities — he will lead a paranormal search at MAC’s Rose House on Oct 28; and conduct a lecture on his travels around the world.
Pari is best known for his appearances on Discovery’s Ghost Hunters, SYFY’s Ghost Hunters International and Travel Channel’s Ghost Nation. He also was one of the early members of The Atlantic Paranormal Society.
Over the years, he has traveled to 27 different countries connecting with spirits, in well-known and out of the way places alike. Pari’s visit will include the ghost hunt, although tickets for that aspect of the program sold out quickly.
The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at MAC’s downtown campus. Attendees also are encouraged to dress up in their spooky Halloween costumes.
Monroe Arts Center staff say not only does the visit provide an exciting, Halloween-themed event for families to enjoy, but it has the added benefit of exposing Monroe residents to its historic campus and buildings.
“We are very proud to have historic buildings on our MAC Campus,” said Olivia Lentz, communications’ and community outreach manager. “We thought this event would be a wonderful way to celebrate and learn about any history that has happened inside our walls.”
Indeed, MAC’s main operation occupies “the Old Methodist Church,” which at one point was in danger of being razed by the city. But a group of concerned citizens raised sufficient funds in 1974 to purchase the building and turn the old church into a community arts center.
For his part, Pari has said that he saw his first apparition — what he described as a shadowy figure — in the doorway of his bedroom when he was about 9 years old. He has been fascinated by the paranormal ever since.
His work and television shows tap into what is a growing fascination with ghosts in the wider culture. While the event is suitable for all ages, MAC suggests perhaps leaving the smallest kids at home for this one.
“This is not an adult only event,” said Lentz. “However, it is a late night, so we don’t suggest that small children attend.”
Tickets for the lecture — known as the “Casper the Friendly Ghost Experience” — are $20. The $30 “Beetlejuice Experience” part of the event includes a meet and greet with Pari. And the ghost hunt, for which tickets sold for $60, is already sold out.
With 83,000 followers on Twitter, Pari also is well known for his Christian faith, something critics might say is incompatible with his belief in ghosts. But he addressed the issue in a published interview in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette:
“As a Christian, I often get people that question what I do, and if I should be doing so,” he told the paper. “The Bible has plenty of stories of apparitions and spirit interaction, which I think those that criticize paranormal research forget. There is a big difference in researching and documenting paranormal activity, and seeking council and guidance from spirit outside that of God and the Holy Trinity.”
Pari has been supported by MAC Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Season Media Underwriter Big Radio, with additional support from Lisa Baumann, Deb Thompson, and Woodford State Bank.
For more information, contact MAC at 608-325-5700.
