Photo by Doug Loyer Stephanie Buty gets a psychic reading from Master Psychic Aeson Knight.

MARIETTA — The inaugural Hidden Marietta Paranormal Exposition drew about 275 people Saturday to the Lafayette Hotel.

Sponsored by Hidden Marietta, the expo was an opportunity to learn about things paranormal.

“This is our first Hidden Marietta Paranormal Exposition and it was our third year for the Lights Out Lock Down event that has been selling out,” said Jessica Wielitzka, co-owner of Haunted Marietta.

The group that participates in the Lights Out Lock Down is like a family, Wielitzka said.

“We thought we’d have fun and make it bigger and invite paranormal investigators from all over,” she said.

Photo by Doug Loyer Guest speaker Tom Moore of the Mid-Ohio Valley Ghosthunters tells the audience about his paranormal experiences.

Participants were from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Several of the paranormal groups that visited Marietta also do history and ghost tours, she said.

“Last night I did the Lights Out Lock Down here at the Lafayette and I was really impressed with it,” said Stephanie Buty of Corning, Ohio. “We spent the night and we got to go into certain areas of the hotel. It made a believer out of me. We stayed the night and are enjoying the expo today. I would definitely come back again!”

Buty also had her fortune told by Master Psychic Aeson Knight.

“I enjoy doing this and helping people,” said Knight, who has clients on seven continents and from all walks of life. “Some people are looking for answers and others entertainment.”

Knight said the expo was a great opportunity for Marietta to learn more about the paranormal. He hopes it becomes an annual event.

Photo by Doug Loyer Jason McKinney of Paranormal Quest plays a video at his expo booth.

Thirty vendors, five guest speakers and activities kept those in attendance busy and engaged. Vendors offered products and services including spiritual candles, crafts, leather goods, natural health items such as crystals, herbs and oils, among other things.

Some of the activities included psychic readings, Reiki energy healing sessions and Victorian table tipping demonstrations.

Natasha Cooper of Belpre is the owner of Enchanted Hart, a metaphysical and new age shop that blends the ways of the old with the new.

“I’m selling wiccan and new age spiritual supplies and I also sell Demented Darling Dolls,” said Cooper, who has been in business for eight years. “I’m into selling all natural healing herbs and oils and getting back to the earth.”

Cooper said making Demented Dolls by repurposing old dolls is therapeutic.

Photo by Doug Loyer Northern Gypsy Kathy Feketik performs a healing session at the Paranormal Expo at the Lafayette Hotel.

Iron City Paranormal of Pittsburgh does paranormal investigations and is owned by Daniel Metelsky and Derrick Smith.

“We do this for fun,” said Metelsky. “Some are drawn to this but it’s not for everybody.”

Doing a paranormal investigations is different than watching it on TV, said Metelsky.

“You can feel what’s there. You can walk into an empty room and get a response,” he said. “There’s an energy behind it you can’t match!”

Metelsky said their equipment finds differences in energy levels including electromagnetic and modification of radio waves. They also use photography and video equipment.

Iron City’s mission is to provide a voice for people who have lost the ability to speak for themselves.

“I want to think that there’s something else after we die,” Metelsky said. “I’d like to think that there is another realm or dimension.”

Dolores Grimm of Marietta believes communication is possible.

“I’m very interested in this,” she said.

Paranormal Quest of Moundsville has given tours at the former West Virginia Penitentiary for more than 10 years. The company also does documentary films.

“We are really into history,” Jason McKinney said. “Everywhere we go, we research the history thoroughly so we can better understand what is going on. The more informed you are, the better the investigation.”

Tom Moore of the Mid-Ohio Valley Ghosthunters, a speaker at the expo, was appreciative of the attendance.

“This is a way for people to share their experiences,” he said.

The best places to find paranormal energy are places where there has been a tragedy or the place meant something to a person, he said.

Kathy Feketik is known as the Northern Gypsy and specializes in Mountain Magic, a form of healing that comes from the Mountain Gypsies from Roan Mountain, Tenn. She was trained to do spiritual healings.

She claims sessions can help mind, body spirit and soul, lower stress levels and reduce anxiety.

“It’s not really magic, it is considered a natural healing process given through the gifts of God,” Feketik said. “It’s like a bridge. God gives me energy to help the person on the table.