Waukegan cemetery walk has movie theme

The 21st annual Oakwood Cemetery Walk, a "living history" event that showcases the history of Waukegan through costumed actors portraying local historical figures, is Saturday, Sept. 19.

Sponsored by the Waukegan Park District, Waukegan Historical Society and the City of Waukegan, the event runs from noon to 5 p.m.

The theme of this year's Oakwood Cemetery Walk is "Waukegan and the Movies." Unique stories have been chosen for this year and include: Local Actors and Actresses, Drawing for Walt Disney, Filming for Essanay Studios, Jack Benny's Man About Town, Film Censorship, Edward Amet's Magniscope, Filming in Waukegan, Stars Married in Waukegan, and Ray Bradbury Going to the Movies.

Participants will also hear other unique "Waukegan and the Movies" stories, as well as the history of Oakwood Cemetery.

The Cemetery Walk starts at Lilac Cottage in Bowen Park, 1911 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Buses will depart from Lilac Cottage to Oakwood Cemetery at: noon, #4560; 12:30 p.m., #4561; 1:30 p.m., #4562; 2 p.m., #4563; and 3:15 p.m., #4564.

Ticket prices are $3 in advance and $5 the day of the event. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, 39 Jack Benny Drive in Bowen Park, and online at www.waukeganparks.org. There is no public parking at Oakwood Cemetery.

Each tour is expected to run approximately 1.5 hours and will include walking on uneven ground. The last tour will start at 3:30 p.m. The cemetery walk will proceed during inclement weather. The Waukegan History Museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the event.

For more information, contact Ty Rohrer, museum supervisor, at (847) 336-1859 or the Jack Benny Center for the Arts at (847) 0360-4740 or visit www.waukeganparks.org.