Rotary sponsoring Shafter's first Ghost Tour

The Shafter Rotary Club will host a Ghost Tour on Sunday, Oct. 27, offering a fresh take on local legends and stories never before shared. This unique event, designed for a 21-and-over crowd, promises to blend spooky tales with a touch of humor, ensuring an entertaining experience.

Blake Goehring, a Rotarian of 18 years and one of the event's tour guides, brings a special flair to the role. Having previously worked at Disneyland's Jungle Cruise in Anaheim, he developed a love for leading expeditions and showing people a good time. Goehring is also part of the planning committee. "We wanted to do something fun," he said. "We'll start at 6 p.m. at The Green Hotel with a social hour – appetizers and drinks – followed by a hotel tour. At 7 p.m., we'll board a Maple School bus, which we'll have dressed up, and head into town to visit historical locations like the Shafter Depot, the Shafter Cemetery and a few other undisclosed spots where you'll hear ghost stories – some true, some fictional. By 8:30 p.m., we'll be back at the hotel, wrapping up by 9 p.m."

With only 50 tickets available, the event will offer an intimate atmosphere. Tickets are $30, and all proceeds will benefit the Shafter Rotary Club. They can be purchased through any Rotarian.

The tour also will shed light on the town's darker history. "There will be some history on real-life events that happened in Shafter," Goehring explained. "It's going to be both entertaining and educational."

Goehring noted that ghost tours are popular in other cities and offer a unique twist on history.

He encourages the community to participate. "It's going to be worth people's time. It'll be entertaining and informative, giving people a chance to see Shafter in a different light. It's unique to Shafter, bringing a sense of community and engagement. We're really excited about it. If you've ever been on a ghost tour, you know it's a good time-it's another fun way to enjoy the community."

For more information, email Goehring at blakegoehring@gmail.com.