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Community Corner

Tour Occoquan's Spookier Side

Occoquan Merchants Association offers walking tours of Occoquan's history and hauntings.

Some people love Occoquan so much that they never leave - even after they die.

The public is invited to learn more about Occoquan's ghostly stories during the Occoquan Ghost Tours, which run most weekends from April to October. Hosted by the Occoquan Merchants Association, the walking tour is full of facts and stories of town history and hauntings.

Tours meet and begin at the gazebo in Mamie Davis Park (near Madigan's).  Here the guide will begin the tour with a brief history of Occoquan for the customers.

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Next, the guide directs the group around town and stops outside various Occoquan businesses and homes to relay stories of ghosts and history.

‘You can’t have the ghost stories without also understanding the history of the town,” said ghost tour guide Kay Pietrewicz. Although each ghost tour guide follows a script, Pietrewicz’s personal research of the paranormal as well as Occoquan history enhanced the tour. 

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Tour taker Katy Chmura said, “It was informative for me.  I learned a lot I didn’t know about the town and enjoyed it.” Chmura now plans on becoming a ghost tour guide herself.

The ghost tour runs about an hour long so wear comfortable shoes and attire.  The guided tours are available most Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 4 p.m. 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children of ages ten years and younger.  Tickets can be purchased by reservations made and paid in advance at Polka Dot Divas at 416 Mill Street in Occoquan or by calling 703-910-7059 or 571-334-7357. 

Private group tours are available by appointment with parties of ten or more.  All sales are final, unless the tour is canceled by the Occoquan Merchant’s Association. 

For further information on the ghost tour and Occoquan, visit their website

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