News Summary
This Saturday, St. Petersburg’s Mari Jean Hotel will host the National Day of Ghost Hunting, organized by the local paranormal group, Spirits of St. Petersburg. Founded by Brandy Stark, this event invites ghost hunters to explore the hotel’s rich history and potential hauntings. Participants will take part in a guided paranormal investigation, gaining insights into ghost hunting. Tickets are available online for $40, promising a captivating experience within the hotel’s storied past.
St. Petersburg will host an intriguing event this Saturday evening as the Spirits of St. Petersburg, a local paranormal investigative organization, invites ghost hunters and curious participants to the historic Mari Jean Hotel. The event, commencing at 7 p.m., is part of the National Day of Ghost Hunting, previously known as the World’s Largest Ghost Hunt.
Founded by Brandy Stark, the group has been conducting paranormal investigations throughout St. Petersburg for several years and is now set to investigate this almost 100-year-old hotel. The opportunity arose when the hotel’s owners proactively approached the Spirits of St. Petersburg to organize this special event.
The Mari Jean Hotel, originally opened in 1927, has an extensive history and has served various purposes, including operations as a hotel, retirement center, mental institution, and low-income housing. Currently, the hotel functions as a 21-and-older establishment, situated above an LGBTQ bar called Cocktail. During its restoration, significant historical elements of the hotel were preserved, adding to its character and the potential for paranormal activity.
Stark has expressed her enthusiasm about the opportunity for archival research at the hotel, noting that the hotel’s owners are quite open to the investigation. Given the building’s rich and varied past, investigators anticipate encountering various spirits during their investigation. According to reports from hotel employees, there have been instances of unexplained voices and sounds within the stairwells, particularly in isolated periods following hurricanes, raising further interest in the hotel’s potential hauntings.
Tickets for the National Day of Ghost Hunting event at the Mari Jean Hotel are priced at $40, available for purchase online. Attendees will have the chance to engage in a session called “Paranormal Investigation 101,” followed by an interactive paranormal investigation guided by the Spirits of St. Petersburg. This educational segment promises to give participants insights into the art of ghost hunting while enabling an immersive experience within the hotel’s haunted past.
With the combination of its storied history and previous reports of apparition activity, the Mari Jean Hotel stands as an exciting site for both amateur ghost hunters and seasoned paranormal investigators alike. The evening promises a unique experience where participants can learn about and explore the spooky side of St. Petersburg.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Exciting Weekend Events in Tampa Bay Area
Additional Resources
- Patch: Paranormal Investigators Host Ghost Hunting Event at St. Pete Hotel
- Wikipedia: Ghost Hunting
- I Love The Burg: St. Pete Weekend Events
- Google Search: Ghost Hunting Events
- TB News: Local Paranormal Investigative Group
- Google Scholar: Paranormal Investigation
- The Gabber: Brandy Stark & St. Pete’s Spirit Hunting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Haunting
- St. Pete Catalyst: Paranormal Investigator Shares Stories
- Google News: St. Petersburg Ghost Hunting
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
