Sept. 30, 2009

Spooky stories, buried treasure, fortune telling and pumpkin painting are some of the old-time seasonal fun that awaits families attending the second annual Victorian Halloween Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Walker Tavern Historic Site. Visitors can move between 10 different activity centers located throughout the site and come away with something to take home from each center. Admission is $3 per person. All visitors dressed in costume will save $1 off the cost of admission.

In Victorian times, family parties were a favorite way to celebrate the holiday, and the Walker Tavern event attempts to recreate the spirit of those family celebrations. Halloween in turn-of-the-century America provided young people an opportunity to gather and to socialize between the seasons of summer and winter. According to one of the event organizers, Sienna Heights history professor Julieanna Frost, "Parlor games were very popular. Victorian ladies were especially interested in knowing about their future husbands, and they played divination games to predict the future."

Participants in the Victorian Halloween Celebration may play divination games, participate in a bat-throwing competition, search for buried treasure and make a snake to take home. Site historian Cheryl Valentine advises visitors, "Bring a camera. If last year's celebration is any indication, there'll be plenty of shots you'll want to record for your own family's history."

The celebration takes place rain, sleet, snow or shine, and some of the activity centers are outdoors.

Participation in all 10 activities, make-and-take crafts and goodies are included in the price of admission. The Friends of Walker Tavern will be selling apple cider, donuts and popcorn at the Walker Mercantile to benefit the Hewitt House renovation project.

Walker Tavern Historic Site is located next to the Michigan International Speedway in the Irish Hills. Situated at the crossroads of M-50 and the U.S. 12, Walker Tavern is just 35 miles west of Ann Arbor. The Walker Tavern season runs Memorial Day to Labor Day. The site is currently open for special events and pre-arranged group tours.

For more information call (517) 467-4401 or visit our Web site at www.michigan.gov/walkertavern.

Walker Tavern is part of the Michigan Historical Museum System and Cambridge Junction State Historical Park. It is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.