Photo of the Ghost Ship courtesy of the Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee.
By Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas
MANISTEE – Why book passage aboard the “Fright Ferry,” aka the Ghost Ship? Because this fun and hair-raising half-hour excursion is only offered in October — every Friday and Saturday, 7:30-10:30 p.m. — with a special night on Sunday the 29th. The Ghost Ship makes its home on board the S.S. City of Milwaukee, permanently moored on Manistee Lake, just off U.S. Highway 31.
A new “Scaredy Pants” option for kids (all ages are welcome) takes place Tuesday, Oct. 31, 5-9 p.m. This event is a toned-down version for families, with the lights on and, of course, Halloween candy.
During your “voyage,” you’ll wander up, down, and across five decks while creeping along the hallways. You’ll move, but the historical ship won’t. As you climb the stairways in your sturdy shoes, ghouls may be fellow passengers. EEK! How twisted is that?
I met with Executive Director Robby Laurain and his colleague, Maxwell, as we “walked the plank” onboard. We sat for a chat amidst eerie decorating materials as I floated questions.
“The S.S. City of Milwaukee has been in operation since 2000, with the addition of the Coast Guard buoy-tender/icebreaker in 2009,” Laurain explained.
I learned that the ship is open from May through Labor Day weekend. It is run by the Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee, a nonprofit organization founded in 1986. The organization has six employees and up to 30 volunteers, especially during the Ghost Ship event. Each year the team strives for a better (or shall we say, more frightening) and well-attended event. Last year almost 4,000 souls attended the Ghost Ship evenings, up from 3,000 in 2021.
During the May-through-Labor-Day season, the ship has hosted weddings, family reunions and receptions. One of its 16 berths may also be rented for overnight stays.
The S.S. City of Milwaukee, built in 1930, is the last traditional Great Lakes railroad car ferry. Now a National Historic Landmark Museum, the steamship sailed from 1931 to 1981 or ’82, according to carferry.com. In August, a post on the ship’s Facebook page announced a painting project on the starboard side of the hull was 99% completed. Thirty-two gallons of black paint were used, as well as 10 gallons of primer, to cover 12,000 square feet.
Meanwhile, back on the Ghost Ship, I hope to hear your screams harmonizing with my own as we join the hardy throng traipsing the haunted hallways. Consider supporting this nonprofit organization during their main fundraising event this October by adding a visit to your Halloween-month plans. Every year the crew invents new adventures, ramps up the ghostly sounds and creates more bumps in the night, including goosebumps. Cackle!
Be aware: There are public bathrooms near the entry, but none are available onboard for the Ghost Ship event. Wear good shoes and dress in layers, in case it gets cold.
To avoid standing in lines, get your $12 per person Fast Pass ticket at: carferry.com/ghostship. Children ages six and younger are free. Tickets may also be purchased at the ship: 99 Arthur Street. Scaredy Pants tickets are $5 each. Follow the S.S. City of Milwaukee on Facebook @SSCityofMilwaukee.
Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas is a retiree of the Manistee Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest, where she worked in recreation and as an outdoor recreation planner.
|
|
