Echoes of the Forgotten bringing new Halloween fun to East Dundee

Echoes of the Forgotten Passengers will provide a unique Halloween experience by sending visitors through a time vortex leading to East Dundee’s downtown Depot.

It’s an “immersive theatrical experience, transporting guests back to the 1920s through live actors, interactive storytelling and period-inspired entertainment” that will be presented from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, which is Halloween night, Special Events Manager Katherine Diehl said.

Guests will encounter intriguing characters, including a tarot card reader, a medium and a magician, blending “the glamour and mystery of the Roaring ’20s with the spirit of Halloween to create a unique and memorable experience, an interactive journey into the past where guests become part of the story,” Diehl said.

East Dundee’s Halloween-themed attraction is the latest in a series of special events it holds throughout the year, including Wine Down Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, Oktoberfest and Dickens in Dundee, which is a joint endeavor with the village of West Dundee. This will be the village’s first Halloween-themed gathering.

The idea is the result of East Dundee’s Community Events and Depot Committee wanting to introduce something to the village’s calendar that “celebrates the history of The Depot and reflects East Dundee’s rich historical character,” Diehl said.

As the committee explored ideas, the concept evolved into a time-travel experience back to the 1920s, an area that connects with The Depot’s history and the village’s past, she said.

“The goal was to transform the grounds into a nostalgic, immersive experience where guests could step back in time and enjoy the sights, sounds and spirit of the Roaring ’20s, all while celebrating Halloween in a fun, creative and memorable way,” Diehl said.

The Depot originally served as a passenger and freight stop on the Chicago and North Western Railway. When the building was no longer used for that purpose, it became a local landmark.

Before guests enter the vortex, there will be an area featuring familiar, modern-day Halloween fun, including warm and cold beverages served by Carol’s Corner and sweet treats sold by Sugar Fairy Treats.

From there the adventure begins with the Zombies Laser Tag trailer, although Diehl emphasized that the attraction is more of a theatrical experience rather than a frightening one.

Among the things people will see are the Magician’s Workshop and the Mad Scientist’s Laboratory, which were inspired by popular forms of entertainment and cultural interests of the 1920s, Diehl said.

“These elements help bring the era to life while adding a touch of mystery, imagination and Halloween fun to the overall experience,” she said.

There’s also a traveling circus, a silent film theater, The Speakeasy and a look inside the Dundee Daily News.

Echoes of the Forgotten Passengers may become an annual event as the village’s budget permits, said Diehl, who is coordinating the event with support from the East Dundee Arts Council, the village’s Public Works Department and local volunteers.

What she is looking forward to most, Diehl said, is “seeing all the creative elements come together and watching guests of all ages experience the magic of stepping back in time.”

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.