Autumn has arrived and downtown Marietta is preparing for First Friday, an event hosted by Marietta Main Street.

The October theme is “Historically Haunted” and the evening is sponsored by WVU Parkersburg. From 5-9 p.m., residents can enjoy late shopping, dining specials, live music, popup artists and more.

Many businesses are embracing the spirit of the season by decorating their windows while some will share their building’s haunted history.

Hidden Marietta will conduct a special Ghost Tour, starting at 9 p.m. at the Ohio River fountain by the Lafayette Hotel at the levee. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children under 12.

On the Armory lawn, local nonprofits and other groups including Artsbridge, the Marietta College Multicultural Club, Ohio State University Extension Master Gardeners, Victoria Nash, Ely Chapman, Gliman United Methodist Church, Washington State College of Ohio and Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be set up.

Peoples Bank Theatre will host a free First Friday concert on Putnam Street featuring Sadie Johnson and Charlie Jean. Country music star Lorrie Morgan, sponsored by Engles Natural Healing and Massage, will perform at 8 p.m. in the theater where a large poster will be on display that tells the history of the theater in a spooky, but fun way.

The popular Sanderson Sisters from “Hocus Pocus” will greet visitors at Dad’s Primitive Workbench. Multiple businesses will be offering deals and sales.

West Virginia print makers Lesie Norris of Sugar Pop Press and Mateo Fuentes of Art.Monsters Printmaking will have their work at Clutch Collective.

First City Records will celebrate the soft opening in its new location at 177 Front St., where SWAGG will also make its return to Front Street. Evie Schaffer and outlaw country artist Shawn Benfield will be on site with live music.

John Richards will perform from 7-10 p.m. at Over the Moon Pub and Pizza.

Downtown First Friday events take place on the first Friday of the month from February to December.

More information about Marietta Main Street events and programs is available online at www.mariettamainstreet.org.