The legendary ghost of Sallie Baker returns to Webster Parish Saturday.
She will make her appearance at The Farm, with festivities beginning at 7 until 11 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and includes food and spirits.
Cultural Crossroads, local arts organization, made an event of the legendary ghost tale. “Sallie Baker’s Return,” a scary benefit for the arts, will include not only a silent auction of original art and original experiences, but music as well as a haunted hayride in search of Sallie’s gravesite.
“This haunted event is a little different than most,” Chris Broussard, co-chairman, said. “We wanted to use local folklore, local actors and create a storyline and an event that felt like it came out of the early 1940s. We have vintage Halloween memorabilia, old farming props and a four-acre setting that is perfect for this time period. And our fright-light display should make this a great night for haunting.”
Born Sallie Caruthers in 1869, Baker spent her life defending her property and fortune until her death in 1952. Various accounts of her life and death include hosting the notorious Bonnie and Clyde at her home the night before their fatal shootout with police.
Exaggerated stories about the killing of Baker’s three husbands and visiting her gravesite have also sparked interest over the past several decades. Organizers and volunteers for this year’s event have taken the various stories and re-created a haunted garden and haunted hayride.
Sightings of the ghost of Sallie Baker have already been spotted around the grounds, Broussard said.
Cultural Crossroads is Webster Parish’s designated arts agency. They host the annual spring arts festival, Chickenstock, the parish’s largest festival for children.
Proceeds from this event will be used to further Cultural Crossroads’ “Art and Soil” project that targets at-risk teens and single mothers.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.artsinminden.com or call Sonya Armstrong at 678-0805. Costumes are strongly encouraged but not required. The Farm office will be open every Friday until the event for anyone who wishes to purchase tickets.