A whodunit for all ages at the Ahern Home

In keeping with the season, an upcoming party at the P.J. Ahern Home is BYOP, which stands for bring your own pumpkin.

The Ahern hosts a family-style mystery on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (reservations are required). This mystery party comes in the form of a scavenger hunt at the 1905 Classical Revival mansion, sort of a spinoff of a murder mystery the Texarkana Museums System staged earlier this year, explained Jamie Simmons, TMS curator.

In the game, something has been stolen, and the aim of the game is to find that item. Simmons expects it will take roughly 30 to 45 minutes to complete the mystery portion of the day, but there’s more family fun planned, too.

Guests can bring a pumpkin to carve or decorate. The TMS will provide supplies to help decorate or carve for a pumpkin carving challenge. There’s also a costume contest, which will be judged by the guests themselves.

Simmons explains that an adult murder mystery the TMS held in February was so successful they’ll do it

again early next year. But they also want to stage this sort of event for the whole family. It’s a similar concept, but parents can bring the youngsters this time.

“The Halloween game that we’re playing is actually one that was donated to us by Playing with Murder. That’s where we acquired the murder mystery game that we did in February,” Simmons said.

The P.J. Ahern Home, which is is on the National Register of Historic Places and located at 403 Laurel St. in Texarkana, Ark., will be decorated to fit the Halloween occasion. It will be turned into a place called Haunted Town. Halloween-themed refreshments will be served.

Costumes are optional, but everyone is encouraged to wear one, whether they’re participating in the costume contest or not. In addition to prizes for the top costume and the top pumpkin, a best detective award will be given.

Kids must be accompanied by a parent or another adult.

(Tickets: $15 per person, or $12.50 per person for a family of four or more. TMS members get a $5 discount. Reservations are required and tickets must be purchased in advance. Purchase tickets through Eventbrite.com or the P.J. Ahern Home page on Facebook. More info: Call Jamie Simmons at 903793-4831.)