St. Charles Park District Hosts Food Crawl, Grave Reminders

ST. CHARLES, IL -- It may not be time for costumes and candy, but two upcoming events this October are sure to be put you in the Halloween spirit. Teaming up again this year is the St. Charles Park District and the St. Charles History Museum to provide the family-friendly Grave Reminders and the adults-only Mystery History Food Crawl, according to a news release from the St. Charles Park District.

“Both events are great opportunities to learn about local history in fun and engaging ways,” said Alison Costanzo, History Museum Executive Director.

“Even if you’re not a St. Charles resident or history buff, anyone can appreciate these fun, surprising and educational stories,” said Lara Piner, Park District Supervisor.

All ages are welcome to step back in time to “meet” residents of St. Charles past during Grave Reminders at North Cemetery in St. Charles, with tours every 15 minutes from the hour, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, October 6.

Standing in the second oldest cemetery in St. Charles, history museum volunteers and St. Charles East High School drama students will portray former residents at their gravesites in full costume, telling of their unique interests and impact in the town they once called home, according to a press release.

“It’s really important for the people to hear the stories of the residents who built-up St. Charles,” said Amanda Wolf, History Museum Curator and Marketing Coordinator.

Some of those residents who will be portrayed include Caroline Howard, a medium/spiritualist from the 1860s; Alice Berg Johnson, a survivor of the Titanic; Amelia Anderson, the first school nurse in the 1870s; Lina Paschal, editor of the St. Charles Chronicle in the 1940s; and Alice Davis, a local historian and teacher from the 1950s.

The tales promise to be child-friendly, and little ones also will have the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt, looking for symbols on gravestones as well as objects in the cemetery, according to the news release.

Attendees can park at Bethlehem Church, 1145 N. 5th Ave., which is adjacent to North Cemetery. Or if you’re spending time at the Scarecrow Festival hop on the free trolley ride, as Grave Reminders will be included in the tour.

Register online at www.stcparks.org/register or on site the day of the event. The fee is $5 per person. Ages 5 and under are free. Ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult.

While Grave Reminders will help you connect with St. Charles spirits, the Mystery History Food Crawl will encourage adults to enjoy spirits and food while learning more about St. Charles’ ties to U.S. history. This adults-only event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 11 in downtown St. Charles.

Participants will meet at the St. Charles History Museum, 215 E. Main Street in St. Charles. Then, they will visit local restaurants including the Filling Station, El Puente, Vintage 53 and Club Arcada.

As diners enjoy appetizers and drinks, a representative from the museum or park district will share odd and haunting stories that took place in that particular location. Attendees will have a chance to participate in trivia at each eatery as well as compete in a lightning round for a prize at the last location, the Club Arcada.

The fee for Mystery History is $25 for residents and $38 for non-residents. The event is for ages 21 and up. Appetizers are free but attendees pay for their own drinks. Advanced registration is required at www.stcparks.org/register.

Photo via the St. Charles Park District