What ghost story would be complete without marshmallows and a warm fire? Guests will be able to enjoy tasty autumn treats while they listen to Vincent Ivan Phipps’ tales of supernatural terror.
The Fireside events are free to public, so bring any and all fans of being spooked are welcome to attend.With Halloween swiftly approaching, it’s the best time of the year for spooky stories whispered in hushed tones around a campfire. So for Greenway Farms’ final installment in this year’s annual Fireside series, a free outdoor concert held weekly each October, organizers are planning just that.
In place of local bands, Chattanooga resident Vincent Ivan Phipps will be coming Thursday, Oct. 27 to relay some original tales of supernatural mystery and (child-friendly) terror from his book “Spooky-nooga.” Phipps is a communication specialist and coach in the city, and has authored five books in addition to his collection of ghost stories.
“My mother was always a phenomenal storyteller,” said Phipps. “She read me lots of books as a child, and I grew up with a fascination of how to use voice and tone to bring books to life.”
Phipps’ book took months of research into local lore and history. While many think of scary stories as something passed on from generation to generation, Phipps’ stories combine very real elements of Chattanooga’s past with modern storytelling techniques to create new folklore.
He pulls from such historical events as the lynching of Ed Johnson on the Walnut Street Bridge and the mysterious hauntings on the Delta Queen riverboat, which frequently docked at the foot of Ross’s Landing while it was in use before it retired to the other side of the river, and ultimately to Cincinnati.
While the backstory for Phipps’ tales are grim, he said, neither his book nor the Fireside storytelling event will spook children too much.
“I’ve told these stories to my daughter when she was three years old,” said Phipps. “They’re innocent enough to be appreciated by children, but captivating enough for adults.”
Fire pits will complete his evening of ghost tales, and host Outdoor Chattanooga invites everyone to roast marshmallows and enjoy the autumn air.
For more information, visit outdoorchattanooga.com.
Email Shane Foley at sfoley@timesfreepress.com.