‘Spooky’ Harbor? Ghosts and Mysteries Are Coming To Town!

The history of Safety Harbor has been a hot topic recently, with the renovation of the old museum and the new book being penned by a pair of local writers. 

Mysteries and ghosts, on the other hand, never go out of style. After all, who doesn’t love solving a good mystery or hearing an engrossing ghost story?

Local performer Laura Dent is merging the community’s love of history and mystery in one location, operating a dinner theater and walking tour out of Stann’s on 5th, the downtown dining and entertainment hot spot.

“I’ve being doing shows with Yellow Show Productions for more than 11 years, but this is the first time I’ve had this kind of exclusive engagement,” Dent told Patch last week.

“It means so much, especially to be able to do this in my hometown.”

The mystery dinners will be based on the “Murder in Mayberry” shows the troupe has performed in and around the area for years.

Diners will be able to interact with the performers, inspect physical evidence and then guess who is responsible for the crime; the winner will receive a prize.

There will be two shows a month at the Fifth Avenue eatery at a cost of $37.50 per show, which includes a dinner off a select portion of the menu. There will be a limit of 30 seats per show, and the first performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 8.

“The cost of something like this is usually between $35 and $50, but never with food like this,” Dent said. “The price of the show itself is about $20 — you can’t get two movie tickets for that price!” 

The second part of Dent’s plan is Alice’s History Mystery Tours, a walking tour of downtown that will also be based out of Stann’s place.

Beginning Saturday June 1, guests will take an hour and a half tour of the downtown area, guided by Dent’s “Alice,” a character from the '60s. The cost will be $15. 

“I went on a walking tour about seven years ago, and ever since I’ve had this bug that I wanted to do this,” Dent said. 

“I’ve researched this for four years, this is no overnight thing,” she added.

Dent said the tour could turn into a ghost tour or a murder mystery walking tour later this year.

In fact she said there are many ghosts to be found in town, some in unlikely places.

“My house is historic, and it has a ghost,” she said. “And did you know City Hall has a ghost, and Brady’s (Backyard BBQ), too? “ 

Stann's on 5th (formerly Woodstock on 5th) owner Stann Cherniack said they are thrilled to be partnering with YSP.

"We're very excited about the partnership with Laura," Cherniack said. "We think it's a perfect fit with what we're trying to do here — host original and unique entertainment to go along with our excellent food."

"Who knows, if it goes over well we might even add another show during the week."

Dent is also excited to have a home base for her shows, especially right in her own backyard.

"I want to make Safety Harbor grow, and I want Stann to do well," she said.

“We’ve always wanted a home base for our productions, but no place ever felt right. Stann’s feels right.”

For more information on the mystery dinners and walking tours, visit the Yellow Snow Productions website or call 727-637-9306.

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