Arts & Entertainment
Plainfield's Past Comes to Life with CemeteryWalk
Featuring five figures from local history, the event is set for Sept. 22.
This year's Plainfield Historical Society CemeteryWalk will span decades of Plainfield history, from a tragic love story that will tug at your heartstrings to the story of an aviation history pioneer.
The biennial fundraiser, which benefits the not-for-profit historical society, is set for Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Plainfield Township Cemetery on Route 30.
Led by organizers Michael Lambert and Sharon Kinley, it takes about 50 volunteers — from writers and actors to "tour guides" and ticket sales staff — to make the event possible. Guests will see history come to life as actors tell the story of five figures from Plainfield's past through a series of vignettes.
After doing extensive research, volunteer writers have written short skits depicting the life of musician Sam Grundy and his daughters Clara, Mary and Charlotte; pioneering pilot Eddie Gardner; early-20th Century newlywed Eddie Trent and his wife, Marie; the Countryman brothers; and the Sennett sisters, who became the first honored guests/grand marshals at the original Plainfield homecoming celebration in 1952.
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Helping the actors get into character is volunteer Sue Hasenyager, who is in charge of costumes.
"You always try to put people in costumes that are appropriate and representative of the time," said Hasenyager, who does extensive research to make sure her wardrobe choices are right for the era of each vignette. "We try not to rent very many [costumes] because that's an expenditure, and ... we try to be as economical as possible."
Hasenyager said she relies on the help of vintage clothing collectors willing to lend items to the event.
"I also have a number of things at home," she said, and, when all else fails, "I get out the sewing machine and start sewing," Hasenyager said with the laugh.
The costumes help the actors and audience feel transported back to the time of the story.
"We want them to actually feel they're taking a step back in time," Hasenyager said. "It's just a wonderful event, and it brings a lot of people together."
Tickets available now
Tickets for CemeteryWalk 2013 are now on sale and are $10 per person. A limited number of tickets are available for each of the Sunday, September 22nd performances. If the event does not sell out in advance, remaining tickets will be available at the gate for $15 per person.
CemeteryWalk 2013 tickets may be purchased at the Plainfield Public Library (15025 S. Illinois St.) during regular business hours; at the Society’s Main Street Museum (23836 W. Main St.) on Saturdays between 1 and 4 p.m.; and at the society’s Depot Museum (Lockport Street near the Village Hall) on Saturdays between 1 and 3 p.m. Additionally, tickets are on sale in front of the Lincolnway Barber Shop (24045 W. Lockport St.) during each of the remaining Plainfield Chamber of Commerce’s Cruise Nights (5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 3).
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