History is abroad at Waukegan's annual Oakwood Cemetery Walk

The 22nd Annual Oakwood Cemetery Walk is set for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, in Waukegan.

Sponsored by the Waukegan Park District, Waukegan Historical Society and the city of Waukegan, the Oakwood Cemetery Walk is an annual "living history" event that showcases the rich history of Waukegan using costumed actors to portray local historical figures with connections to the cemetery and Waukegan.

The theme of this year's walk is "The Voters Choice." Unique stories have been chosen for this year, including:

• The vote that moved the county seat from Burlington (Libertyville) to Little Fort.

• The election that led to Waukegan's industrial age.

• The great migration of African-Americans to Waukegan.

• The nasty mayoral battle of 1909.

• Women voting for the first time in 1913.

• The vote for local prohibition.

• The vote to change the name from Little Fort to Waukegan.

• "Brothers of the Brush" vote in the 1959 Waukegan Centennial Celebration.

Participants will also hear more stories, including about the history of the City of Waukegan's Oakwood Cemetery.

The cemetery walk starts at Lilac Cottage in Bowen Park, 1911 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Buses will depart to Oakwood Cemetery at noon, 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:15 p.m.

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; Belvidere Recreation Center, 412 S. Lewis Ave., Belvidere Park; Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center at Hinkston Park, 800 Baldwin Ave.; and online at www.waukeganparks.org.

When registering online, go to "Program Registration" and search for "Tickets." Day of the event tickets can be purchase by cash or check at Lilac Cottage starting at 11 a.m. Limited tickets are available.

There is no public parking at Oakwood Cemetery. Each tour is expected to run approximately 1½ hours and will include walking on uneven ground. The last tour will start at 3:30 p.m. The cemetery walk will be held in 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) 360-4740 or visit www.waukeganparks.org.