Ghost Walks Reveal The Haunted Side Of Mount Tabor

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Each September, people visit Mount Tabor to tour the historic, quaint community's unique, Victorian houses. But at night, the area tells a different story, according to the Mt. Tabor ARTs Collaborative.

If you dare, the group will take you on a ghost walk — a tour that reveals the haunting stories behind Mount Tabor. Guides will tell guests the ghost stories of the area, and actors will portray the entities inside the local homes.

Dawn Lau, the collective's artistic director, says each story is true. The organization stays mum on the haunting stories outside of the tours. But she said two of the most haunted areas include the Mount Tabor United Methodist Church and one of her friend's houses.

During the summers, the collective rents out the church. Kids learn a show for two weeks and put on a performance in the Tabernacle. The ghosts don't reveal themselves with the children present, but tech staff working late at night can sense their presence, Lau says.

As for her friend's house? Lau has seen some things.

"I experienced entities and things happening myself," Lau said. "So I can tell you now that they’re true."

The ghost walks meet every 15 minutes outside the Tabernacle. Tickets must be purchased online. The walk is for ages 8 and up, but keep in mind that "fear is relative," Lau says. People are encouraged to arrive in costumes.

Additionally, photographer Laura Short will do mini photo sessions for an extra fee, editing them to look terrifying. Author Mary Beth Hanlon, a Mount Tabor resident, will perform individual angel-card readings.

'Night of the Living Dead: The Musical'

The Mt. Tabor ARTs Collective will also bring viewers the New Jersey premiere of "Night of the Living Dead: The Musical." Performances of the show took place off-Broadway in New York two years ago, before the pandemic hit. But the show has proceeded, with the collective bringing the musical to the Garden State.

"It’s loosely based on the movie," Lau said. "It’s more like a dark-comedy parody of the movie. It’s not a lot of blood and guts and gore. We did say it’s PG-13 for sexual innuendos, some language. But it’s really funny."

Outdoor performances will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday (rain date Sunday) in Trinity Park. Click here to purchase tickets.

Thanks for reading. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Parsippany Patch Facebook page.