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PARKERSBURG - The annual Mansion by Candlelight Tours in October will offer visitors to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park a rare chance to see the Blennerhassett Mansion and environs after dark, lit by candles and lanterns.

The Mansion Candlelight Tour, sponsored by the Friends of Blennerhassett, began in 1996 and has since become the island's most popular annual event, said park officials.

Advance reservations are required for the Candlelight Tour and tickets are on sale now at the Blennerhassett Museum, located at the corner of Second and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg. For information or reservations call 304-420-4800 or online at www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.

Separate tickets are required for the boat ride/mansion tour, wagon rides and harvest supper. Wagon ride tickets will also be available on the island for purchase.

The cost for the boat ride and mansion tour is $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 3 to 12. The harvest supper is $13 for all ages, with reservations due by Oct. 5. The wagon ride is $4 in advance and $5 on the evenings of the tours.

Visitors will board the Valley Gem Sternwheeler at 6:30 or 8 p.m. at Civitan Park in Belpre. The sternwheeler will return from the island at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m.

The setting of the tour is the year 1805 when Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett, played by Adam Dotson and Kara Postlewaite, have planned a grand party for all their guests. Harman Blennerhassett, a wealthy Irish aristocrat, settled on the wilderness island in 1798 with his wife, Margaret, and completed construction of the mansion in 1800.

The Candlelight tour gives visitors an opportunity to visit Blennerhassett Island's recreated and exciting social life of 200 years ago. There will be costumed re-enactors playing music, dancing, playing cards and telling stories.

"Blennerhassett Island takes on a new persona as the sun goes down and the candlelight from the hundreds of lanterns begins to illuminate the graveled paths directing you from the sternwheeler landing to the candlelit mansion, the servants' party, harvest supper, gift shop, and other activities," said special events coordinator Pam Salisbury. "The island is absolutely beautiful and individuals attending Mansion by Candlelight will feel like they have stepped back 200 years in time."

The island cooks will be serving a picnic-style harvest supper at the island shelter of roasted pork, seasoned potatoes, baked beans, cole slaw, rolls, pumpkin pie and a beverage. Harvest supper tickets are limited and are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis with reservations required by Oct. 5. The bluegrass band Never Too Late will be performing at the harvest supper area. The concession stand will also be open each evening and offers a variety of foods and drinks.

A horse-drawn wagon ride around the upper half of the island will be available, along with the gift shop and a bonfire where another party is going on. At the servants' party, the Cossin Boys' will perform bluegrass music and there will be dances around the bonfire by West Virginia Mountain Pride dancers.

Galen Smith, a member of the Parkersburg Actors Guild, will entertain visitors with ghost stories of local folklore and the Stillwell 4-H Club will sell homemade apple butter.