The Old State Capitol will host “Spirits of Louisiana” on Oct. 27, marking the 166-year-old building’s first Halloween-themed event since discontinuing its annual haunted house walk-through a few years ago.
The event will also serve as an opportunity to raise funds to replace some of the Old State Capitol’s outdated technology and take care of certain maintenance issues.
Director of Events Suzette Crocker said the event’s name parodies the “spirits” offered at various Louisiana distilleries, which will serve some of their concoctions at the event. It also honors lawmakers from generations past.
“[It’s the] spirits of all the past political figures that roamed the halls of this building,” Crocker said.
Since the local community was accustomed to the Capitol hosting an annual Halloween event, Crocker said she is excited it can continue the tradition with “Spirits of Louisiana.”
Some of the local distilleries that will be featured at the event include Baton Rouge Distilling, River Road Distillery, Bayou Rum, Donner-Peltier Distillers, Rank Wildcat and more.
Because the distilleries will allow guests to taste their alcohol, the event is only open to those aged 21 and older.
However, Crocker said the Capitol wants to incorporate more kid-friendly, fall-themed events in the future.
“Spirits of Louisiana” is sponsored by the Old State
Capitol Foundation and the Old State Capitol Associates. Heirloom Cuisine is set to cater the event.
Guests will view a screening of the award-winning movie, “The Ghost of the Castle,” and enter a $50 raffle to host a three-hour event at the Capitol.
Mass communication graduate student Danielle Kelley, who is on the “Spirits of Louisiana” planning committee, said she hopes the event will remind people why the Old State Capitol is so crucial.
“We think it’s important to focus on what makes Louisiana great, and the Old State Capitol is happy to be part of Louisiana’s history, as well as its future,” Kelley said.
Guests are asked to arrive in cocktail attire with Halloween accessories. Tickets are $75 a person, and only 300 tickets are available.