With Halloween just weeks away, the city of Ringgold will kick off its yearly spook-a-thon by opening its sixth annual "Haunted Depot" on Friday, Oct. 12.

Over the past five years, the event has easily become one of the city's most popular events, which was made evident by last year’s record turnout.

The event will run the last three Fridays and Saturdays of the month, beginning on Friday, Oct. 12, and ending on Saturday, Oct. 27.

"We had a great event last year, and we're hoping for more of the same this season," said Daniel Shepherd, marketing and DDA coordinator for the city of Ringgold. "The ghost walks that we added last year were well-attended, so we are going to have those available again so people can take a tour through the cemetery as well as some of the other historical sites in town."

The theme of this year's event is "The Fright Express," and Shepherd says that along with a new theme comes a completely new design for the inside of the Depot.

"We try to mix it up and make it different every year," he said. "Nobody wants to go to the same old thing every year, so the guys constructing the concept inside are working hard to make it as exciting and scary as possible."

In addition to the "Haunted Depot" and the Ghost Walks, this year's event will once again feature the Old-fashioned hay ride, as well as live entertainment.

"There's going to be plenty to see and do," Shepherd said. "We'll have different bands and musical entertainment, and a couple of different dance teams performing. Hopefully we'll have good crowds again this year. I mean, come on...who doesn't want to enjoy some deep-fried Oreos while getting the mess scared out of 'em?"

The entertainment is expected to include the TADA Dance Academy on Oct. 12 and Oct. 26, The Robby Hopkins Band on Oct. 20, and band Common Ground on Oct. 27.

The festivities are slated to begin at 7 o’clock each night.

More information can be obtained about the event by visiting the city's website at cityofringgold.com., or by calling the Ringgold Depot at 706-935-5290.

Ringgold's sixth annual Haunted Depot

Where: The historic Ringgold Depot @ 155 Depot Street

When: October 12-13, 19-20, 26-27

Time: 7 p.m. each

Cost: Haunted Depot-$5, old-fashioned hay ride-$3, ghost walks-$5