By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – This weekend is filled with opportunities to get into the Halloween spirit, but what could be spookier than spending time in some of the oldest cemeteries in the River Region? A pair of cemetery walks is slated for today to provide attendees with a good dose of the chills while learning a little about local history.

For the second year in a row, guests are invited to walk among the tombs at St. Peter Cemetery in Reserve as family members of the deceased impart bits of knowledge about their departed loved ones.

The walk was started last year as part of the Reserve150 celebrations, and some of the committee members decided to hold the event again this year.

Committee member Jane Montz DesRoches said this year the cemetery walkways will be lined with luminaries. As she stands by the Montz family tomb, she will hand out information on her grandfather, Octave Montz.

Also enlightening visitors on some of her family’s history will be Reserve native and current head of the Louisiana Democratic Party Renee Lapeyrolerie.

The walk will last form 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and admission is free.

In St. James Parish, Crazy ‘Bout History will once again be hosting Gone But Not Forgotten: A Cemetery and Mourning Event.

The tours will take place on the grounds of St. Michael’s Church and Cemetery as well as at Poche Plantation in Convent.

According to Connie Donadieu, this will be the final year for the tours.

“We want to go on and do other things,” she said. “I would love to get into the schools more.”

Although this is the final year, Donadieu said no less care has been taken in putting together this year’s event. Donadieu began working on the event in February, putting together a cast of re-enactors and doing research.

She said guests will be treated to scenes straight out of the region’s past and will meet the “spirits” of some of those buried in the cemetery along the way.

“Hopefully, we’ll make them feel like they’re stepping back into the past,” she said.

Donadieu herself will portray a gravedigger during the tour.

Tours begin at 9 a.m. and leave every half hour until 3:30 p.m. Admission is $15, and proceeds go to the upkeep of the historic cemetery.