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History comes to life for the last time, Bloomington’s Evergreen Cemetery Walk ends after 30 years

History comes to life for the last time, Bloomington’s Evergreen Cemetery Walk ends after 30 years

BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) – After three decades of bringing McLean County’s history to life, Bloomington’s tour of Evergreen Cemetery is coming to an end.

“Increasing costs, diminishing resources, the availability of actors and changing audience needs have led us to the difficult decision that this year’s Evergreen Cemetery Walk will be the last,” said Candace Summers, education director of the McLean County Museum of History. Summers has been a leader on this journey for 17 years.

Evergreen Memorial Cemetery is the final resting place of several local historical figures. This year, Edith and Gus Belt, founders of Steak and Shake, made a special appearance.

Local actors and volunteers lead guests on a 90-minute, one-mile walk that interactively combines history and theater, said Micaela Harris, MCMH communications director.

The walk began as a one-day performance for the public and a two-week performance for local middle school students. It grew into a multi-week event attended by 95,000 people in person and virtually over the past 30 years.

The award-winning program was a product of collaboration between the history museum, the cemetery and Illinois Voices Theater-Echoes.

IVTE will also disband after the walk due to similar challenges.

The last performances will take place on October 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets for the performances on October 5th and 6th are already sold out. Tickets for the final weekend are still available. They can be purchased in person at the McLean County Museum of History, Evergreen Memorial Cemetery or online.

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