It’s almost time for the ninth annual Haunted History Tours where people are offered the rare opportunity to take a moonlit tour of Old Cahawba Archaeological Park and hear the history of some of Selma’s most prominent people buried at Old Live Oak cemetery through stories from current residents.

Selma and Dallas County Tourism, along with Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, will host this year’s event.

“It’s not anything that scares you,” said Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. “It actually is a historic tour in the moonlight.”

On Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 24, visitors will have the chance to ride a wagon around Old Cahawba, while listening to ghost stories about the historic town by some people that are all too familiar with the stories. During the tour, people will be able to attend a live spirits investigation at the Barker slave quarters.

“It’s a rare opportunity because you don’t get to take a moonlit tour out there because that’s closed [at night],” Smedley said. “That’s an opportunity for them to come and experience the park after hours.”

Tours each evening begin at 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Visitors are asked to arrive 20 minutes before their scheduled tour.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, a special tour of Old Live Oak Cemetery will be held for people that want an up close and personal look at Selma’s famous cemetery.

Re-enactors will be in period dress to tell the stories of those that they portray and the lives that they led.

“We encourage out-of-towners as well as the community to come and support the event,” Smedley said.

The annual event is a big tourism boost for the city, and Smedley said it’s a great reason for people to visit Selma and spend money.

“It attracts people from outlying areas. We have a bigger group of people from out of town than we do in town,” Smedley said. “It’s a plus for the business community because nine times out of 10 they’re going to be eating here either before or after they complete the tour.”

The Old Cahawba tours will last 90 minutes and are $15 a person. Tickets for the cemetery tour are $10.

All tickets must be purchased in advance and they can be bought from the chamber by calling (334) 875-7241.

The chamber will also have T-Shirts for sale for $10 with the purchase of a tour ticket, or $15 alone.