On Thursday, Historic Jefferson College invites all area kids (and their families) out to the site for our annual Halloween program, “Ghost Tales Around the Campfire and the After-Dark Halloween Duck Hunt.”

We had such great success with the program last year that we are upping our duck count to 900.

When asked what the duck hunt is all about, I reply that it’s just like an Easter egg hunt … but it’s Halloween, night-time and, instead of eggs, we have themed rubber ducks. Other than that, it’s just like it!

Ghost Tales is a family-friendly program in which local storytellers regale visitors with not-too-scary stories, while gathered around the traditional autumn bonfire. We will definitely have a sound system this year.

As for the after-dark duck hunt, rubber ducks in the shapes of various monsters, witches, werewolves, ghosts and more will be hidden in designated areas on the grounds.

Kids and their parents are invited to search for these adorable prizes with a flashlight, and they get to keep all the ducks they find.

A separate area for younger kids will be roped off in a section with a little more light.

Ghost tales starts at 6:30 p.m. in the grassy bowl next to the visitors center. Please bring a blanket or chair, in addition to your flashlights, and because of our warm fall, bug spray is also recommended.

In the event of rain, the storytelling will move into the west wing. Please follow the signs for parking. The Duck Hunt, however, will go on, even if it’s raining, so bring an umbrella if it is.

We couldn’t do this without our sponsors — Miss-Lou Magazine/Natchez Sun, Edward Jones Investments/Donna Lindley, United Mississippi Bank, Concordia Bank, the Natchez Trace Kiwanis Club, Callon Petroleum, Stuart Heflin/State Farm and Dr. Ruth Nichols.

Because of their help, this event is free of charge and open to all ages.

Historic Jefferson College was chartered in 1802, making it Mississippi’s oldest institute of higher learning. Classes started here in 1811, but the school finally closed its doors for good in 1964.

In 1972, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History began restoration work on the buildings and grounds, and it’s been an ongoing project ever since then. We are located off U.S. 61, about four miles northeast of Natchez in the little town of Washington.

For more information about ghost tales or the duck hunt, or any of our other programs, please contact me at 601-442-2901 or info@historicjeffersoncollege.com.

Robin Person is branch director for Historic Jefferson College.