CAZENOVIA — The Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF) will present the eighth edition of its “Walk Among the Spirits” living history tours on Oct. 27-29.
Guests will be guided by lantern light through the headstones of the historic Evergreen Cemetery, where they will encounter several “spirits” who will share their tales of adventure and intrigue and their knowledge of Cazenovia’s past.
The approximately 70-minute tours will depart every 10 minutes from 7 to 8 p.m. and feature five stops, including one at the cemetery picnic grounds.
“Guests can expect to meet Henry Burden (1866-1937), regarded as one of the greatest philanthropists in the history of Cazenovia, and Mary Jane Beckwith (1820-1890), whose diary is held in the library’s archives and provides [a lot of] material for the tour,” said CPF Executive Director Jen Wong.
Each year, CPF prepares for the event with help from Elisha Davies, Cazenovia Public Library & Museum’s assistant director/archives coordinator.
“With her extensive knowledge of local history, Elisha is able to identify the spirits for whom we have the richest historical information so that she and the actors can work together to build their story for the Walk,” said Wong.
According to Wong, this year’s event will feature three returning actors — Pat Carmeli, back for her fourth appearance, and Jim Tobey and Cindy Bell Tobey, who have both participated in the event since its inception.
“I’d love to tell you that I participate in the Spirit Walk because I love to educate the people of Cazenovia regarding our past inhabitants, but that’s not it at all,” said Carmeli. “I do it because I really enjoy dressing up like a ghost from times passed and creeping folks out. And it satisfies the wannabe actor in me.”
Parking will be available at 22 Burton St. (hockey rink), and tickets will be for sale on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.
In the event of inclement weather, check the CPF event page and social media for updates. All cancellation decisions will be posted by 5 p.m. on the night of the event. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 30.
CPF is a private, non-profit organization that works to protect the historical, agricultural, and natural resources in and around Cazenovia for the benefit of the community and the enjoyment of future generations.
Proceeds from Walk Among the Spirits will go towards supporting CPF’s ongoing conservation work, property stewardship, and educational programming.
For more information on CPF, visit cazpreservation.org.