“Life threatening rain” reported by news media caused the cancellation of the first appearance by Dacre Stoker, great grand nephew of Bram Stoker. Scholars and the curious who want to learn the true stories of how Dracula was created, don’t want to miss Dacre Stoker’s appearance in Saluda on Halloween. Over 100 years later, a Stoker brings the real Dracula back.

On Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. visitors can meet Dacre. He will sell copies of his books and sign autographs. Dacre will make a presentation about the writing of Dracula. In addition, he will do another presentation from 3:30-4:30 p.m. about his recent tours to Transylvania, focusing on the life of the real Vlad Dracula, lll and the origins of the vampire in history and mythology.

“This matinee time will give people a chance to get into the Halloween mood and still get home in time to enjoy parties and trick or treat,” says Cathy Jackson, one of the organizers.

Dacre, lecturer, author and film-maker, has co-edited (with Professor Elizabeth Miller) The Lost Journal of Bram Stoker – The Dublin Years (Robson press 2012), and has contributed to John Edgar Browning’s Bram Stoker’s Forgotten Writings. He co-authored a sequel to the novel Dracula, named Dracula The Un-dead (Dutton 2009) which sold approximately one million copies worldwide as it had been translated into 22 different languages.

Dacre is a sportsman who coached the Canadian Olympic Team in modern pentathlon for the 1988 Seoul Olympics and is a court tennis teaching professional. He has also been a teacher at an international independent college in Ontario, Canada.

His wife, Jenne Stoker, and their two children live in Aiken, S.C. The Stoker’s have had a seasonal home in Saluda, N.C. since 1995.

Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres and libations and both presentations: “Stoker on Stoker” as well as “Transylvania, Vlad Dracula, lll and the Origins of Vampires in History and Mythology.”

Reservations can be made by calling 828-749-2321 and are available at Thompson’s Store or Saluda Historic Depot Thursday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Books, Dracula t-shirts, and posters will be available for sale. Proceeds from the event will go toward the fundraising efforts to purchase the train depot.

– Submitted by Cathy Jackson