It’s about that time to start planning what you’ll be doing for Halloween!

Charleston has a reputation for having more ghosts than any other city in America, and ghost stories abound. It is a favorite haunt for ghost hunters, and Charleston’s rich and bloody history seems to have created an amazing number of lost spirits. From the days before Columbus through today, many deaths have taken place in Charleston—but not all of the dead have departed the city.

In particular, Dock Street Theatre and the Battery Carriage House Inn have been the setting for many ghost sightings. The ghost of Junius Brutus Booth, John Wilkes Booth’s father, has been seen wandering around the theater, as has the apparition of an unknown prostitute called Nettie. According to legend, Nettie was struck by lightning and killed in the 1800s when the Theatre was a hotel. The Battery Carriage House Inn has a ghost that tries to get into bed with women guests and put his arm around them.

And of course, as Charleston was a major site of the Civil War, residents and tourists regularly report seeing the ghosts of Civil War soldiers. The ghosts of Blackbeard the Pirate and scores of Civil War soldiers have also been seen on Folly Island.

Charleston’s ghost tours are some of the best in the nation, and Bulldog Tours and Tour Charleston, LLC have the most impressive tours in the city. You can take a ghost tour most months of the year, and tour guides take you through back alleys, jails, churches, and cemeteries with tales of voodoo, haunting, chilling deaths, and local legends and superstitions. Bulldog Tours’ Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour takes you to the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, while Tour Charleston, LLC’s Ghosts of Charleston Tour leads you through the Unitarian Church Graveyard.

Charleston’s residents love Halloween. In addition to ghost tours, you can join in on Boone Hall Fright Nights at Boone Hall Plantation, another haunted Charleston landmark. Fright Night events include Bloodstone Manor, a vampires’ lair; Fright Stalkers Corn Field, haunted land sure to scare anyone who dares enter; the Body Farm Haunted Hayride; and Psycho Clowns Side Show.

Other Halloween parties and events for all ages include:

• Halloween Howler Bar Crawl starting at Moe’s Downtown Tavern.
• Premiere of the play Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde at The Footlight Players.
• Scary’um Aquarium at the South Carolina Aquarium.
• Car, Bike, and Truck Show at Hooters.
• Monster Mash at Charleston Ballet Theatre.

As Charleston DUI attorneys, of course we caution you that police will have enhanced enforcement around Halloween, so please don’t drink and drive.

What other Halloween activities can we add to this list?

Independence Day events happening in and around Charleston:

Patriot’s Point 4^th of July Celebration: America’s National Carrier Aviation Museum draws tens of thousands every July 4 to listen to live bands, eat plenty of good food, and of course, watch the incredible fireworks display launched from the deck of the Yorktown. For 2011, Patriots Point has spent more than ever before on fireworks, so this year’s celebration will top them all. Admission is free for the fireworks, entertainment, and much-loved Kidz Zone.

Directions: Take I-26 to downtown Charleston, turn on Highway 17 North, go across the Cooper River Bridge, and follow the signs to Patriots Point.

Summerville’s Red, White, and Blue on the Green: Downtown Summerville comes alive with its Red, White, and Blue on the Green on Saturday, July 3. Hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement, and Management), the festival includes a dunk tank, face painting, crafts, and for $3, unlimited games. Bad Moon Band will play, and all the usual food vendors will be selling their delicious dishes.

The highlight of the festival is the much-anticipated Uncle Sam and Miss Liberty Costume Contest and non-motorized parade around Hutchinson Square. Everyone joins in with their wagons, bicycles, carriages, kids, animals . . . all decorated to celebrate the 4^th of July. Prizes include Best in Show, Uncle Sam, Miss Liberty, and Best Decorated Pet.

For more information, please call the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. office at 843-821-7260.

Directions: Take 1-26 West to Highway 17 South for about 4.5 miles to Hutchinson Square, the center of town.

Folly Beach 4^th of July Celebration: Enjoy an amazing fireworks display at Folly Beach at dark. Make it an all-day celebration and fish off the Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, swim or stroll along the beach, or enjoy a delicious meal in one of our restaurants.

Directions: Take I-26 to downtown Charleston and turn on Highway 17 South to Highway 161 (Folly Road). Go to the end of Folly Road (about 15 minutes) to the beach.

What will you be doing for the Fourth of July?

And to get you in the spirit for St. Patty’s Day, I’ve grabbed a few of my favorite Irish-inspired photos:

Image above taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jciv/423904070/

Image above of Chicago’s river dyed green, taken from http://tympanogram.com/music/st-patricks-day-2010/

Image above taken from http://www.costumzee.com/view/2009/03/page/2/

I can’t think of a better way to spend my free time than getting involved in these great local causes that all support individuals in our community! A few of my pictures are posted below, but to see many more from these great events, please visit my firm’s Facebook fan page.

Benefit Poker Run & Fish Fry

Benefit Poker Run & Fish Fry

Benefit Poker Run & Fish Fry

Benefit Poker Run & Fish Fry

Benefit Poker Run & Fish Fry

Benefit Poker Run & Fish Fry

Bikers Helping Bikers

On my bike at the Bikers Helping Bikers Event

Bikers Helping Bikers Event

Bikers Helping Bikers Event

Bikers Helping Bikers Event

UNDY 500

UNDY 500

UNDY 500

To see more great pictures from these events, please visit my firm’s Facebook fan page.