Why you might see a bunch of Ghostbusters in town this weekend
Did you miss the Ghostbusters of NC driving around Uptown in their Ecto-1 cars this month? Fear not, they’ll be back Friday for an appearance at Discovery Place’s Science on the Rocks: Fright at the Museum event.
Other weekend stops for the Ghostbusters include BB&T BallPark and the Grady Cole Center.
“We put on our uniforms and sometimes we just walk around Uptown Charlotte,” Ghostbuster Kevin LaRue said.
LaRue, 52, established the Ghostbusters of NC in 2016 with a group of friends. They have access to two Ecto-1 cars, as well as an Ecto.5 — an eco-friendly Prius that is a tad smaller than your traditional funeral coach cars.
And they all add a bit of flair to their uniforms. When he’s out in Ghostbuster form, LaRue dons a flight suit with a proton pack “to emit a proton beam that helps to entrap the ghost,” a military web belt with a walkie talkie and a “lifeguard beeping thing” that looks cool. Oh, and the Psycho-Kinetic Energy Meter — to detect ghosts.
Not surprisingly, the Ghostbusters of NC drew inspiration from the epic 1984 film, “Ghostbusters,” in which a group of former professors launch a ghost removal service.
“These were just ordinary guys essentially that came together and made something out of nothing, basically, and were saving the world,” LaRue said. “We’re all just nerds.”
LaRue and his friends, based in Albemarle, created a Facebook page and set out to try to improve their communities just by dressing up and driving around, or showing up at a social event or a charity event (like at Levine Children’s Hospital). They often park an Ecto for photos, and mingle and pose with the crowd.
“There’s a lot of negativity and hate in the world,” LaRue said. “People need a break from that.”
Bringing that break are about 25 members of Ghostbusters of NC, ages 20s-50s who hail from Fort Mill, Salisbury, Charlotte, Goldsboro and beyond.
They come from all walks of life. LaRue works payroll for companies and other members have backgrounds ranging from military, to law enforcement, to finance.
They enjoy group meetings and socials, plus strapping on their ghostbusting gear and appearing at events two or three times each month. One big event coming up for them is a Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach in February to help raise funds as a team for Special Olympics.
“We are slammed busy,” LaRue said.
Want a Ghostbuster at your event?
Shoot the group an email at ghostbustersofnc@gmail.com.
Want to BE a Ghostbuster?
Send them an email at ghostbustersofnc@gmail.com to fill out an application, and submit your $25 membership fee for costs like gas (for the Ecto cars) and entry fees to charity events.
Photos: Ghostbusters of NC
This story was originally published October 19, 2017 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Why you might see a bunch of Ghostbusters in town this weekend."