Haunted History Walk

The GFWC Appalachian Leading Ladies Junior Woman’s Club (ALL JWC) has added several new features to its annual Haunted History Walk in downtown Honaker.

Slated for Saturday, Oct. 14, the walk will feature local storytellers sharing spooky tales and lore from the town’s past. Slated to begin at 7 p.m., volunteer guides will take participants to various stops at well-known historical locations around town. Additionally, the club is ramping up the excitement with a haunted house and haunted hayride.

The club hosted its inaugural Haunted History Walk in 2021, which drew over 50 people to downtown Honaker. Last year, the event grew to over 265 participants.

The club wanted to make the event more appealing for both fans of the history and lore of Honaker, as well as those who enjoy the spookier side of the season. They will be including several stories from last year’s event and adding lots of new content. ALL JWC encourages past attendees to consider joining us once more.

Plus, they’re thrilled to offer two new activities for their more adventurous participants – a haunted house and haunted hayride.

The club has invited food trucks to set up for a small flat rate of $25. School clubs and athletic teams have been offered the chance to sell concessions and other items. Bathrooms will be available.

For each activity, the cost is $5 per person. Participants may reserve their walk online. All others will be grouped on a first-come first-served basis. Cash only for in-person reservations. Participants are encouraged to bring their own flashlights and wear comfortable shoes. All taking part in the walk should be prepared for occasional inclines. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

The club is open to any additional storytellers who would like to volunteer. Send the club a Facebook message for more information.

Locals may remember ALL JWC as the organization which has sponsored donation drives for the region’s domestic violence program and a free snack-making station at Honaker’s Redbud Festival and Independence Day Celebration. Members of the club created the walk to reignite community pride and share a deeper knowledge of the town’s roots in addition to raising funds for future projects.

“Most of our members grew up in Honaker,” Wampler says. “While we are a Russell County club – open to new members from Rosedale, Lebanon, Council, Castlewood, and the surrounding area, we loved the idea of doing something to pay a homage to our hometown.”

As a local affiliate of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) – an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement, the club is committed to benefitting the region through projects and programs. GFWC is a unifying force, bringing together local women’s clubs, with members dedicated to strengthening their communities and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. With nearly 80,000 members in affiliated clubs in every state and more than a dozen countries, GFWC members are community leaders who work locally to create global change by supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding.