If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, don’t worry – Davis County has its very own crew of Ghostbusters.

Marcelo Ponce, Samuel Torres and Caleb Knight recently started “Utah Ghostbusters,” a cosplay group that attends events around the state dressed as characters from the popular “Ghostbusters” franchise. With their realistic costumes, a life-size green “Slimer” ghost and a detailed replica of the iconic Ecto-1 vehicle, they’ve brought the Ghostbusters out of the big screen and into the community. 

Ponce, Slimer and the Ecto-1 made an appearance at the North Salt Lake Hispanic Heritage Night in Davis County in September, and the rest of the group joined them for an event at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley in November. They hope to continue to make appearances at local events. 

“We want to be able to go to events to help the community, raise funds for different things, and just for fun as well,” Ponce said.

Ponce said he’s been a fan of “Ghostbusters” his whole life, and it inspired him to convert his car into the Ecto-1 about a year ago. Although he said he was unable to replicate it perfectly – the movie’s car is a 1959 Cadillac, which Ponce says is hard to come by – it looks very true to the original. 

Ponce said people love taking pictures and videos of it as he drives around town, and that’s what gave him the idea to start bringing it to events.

“Now, this has grown more into getting it out there to businesses, events, collecting money for charities and their communities,” he said. 

Torres, who lives just north of Davis County in West Haven, works as an EMT when he isn’t participating in the group. He said he enjoys how both roles allow him to make a positive impact on his community. 

“I always like to put a smile on people's faces,” he said. 

Torres also has additional experience in the ghost-busting world, as he was previously a member of a Ghostbusters cosplay group in New York that became certified as a non-profit charity organization. He said he’s loved participating in both groups because it makes people happy to see them, and his own family especially appreciates his entertainment. 

“I love kids, I have a bunch of nieces and nephews,” he said. “They see me as the ‘funcle,’ you know?”

He said he’d like to see the Utah Ghostbusters grow as much as his old group did, and Ponce said they’re hoping to start attending more events soon. A new Ghostbusters movie is being released in 2024, and the Utah Ghostbusters are looking forward to the buzz it will create. 

To stay updated on their endeavors, you can follow the Utah Ghostbusters on their Facebook page or on Instagram at @utah.ghostbusters.