VERNON — COVID-19 has claimed another Jennings County tradition, as the historical society’s annual ghost walk and mystery dinner have both been canceled.
Always scheduled for the second weekend in October, the events were set for October 9, 10 and 11. Due to the state’s pandemic safety guidelines, all activities for both events have been canceled.
The ghost walk event featured local actors portraying segments of Jennings County folklore for groups of people along the streets of Vernon while the mystery dinners featured sit-down dinners prepared and served by volunteers in full Halloween costumes.
The events were both popular fundraisers that helped finance the Jennings County Historical Society’s Museum and other year-round activities.
“It’s sad that we have lost another event,” said Helen Amburgey, assistant curator of the historical society’s museum. “We had to cancel the Sassafras Festival which is always a huge spring event and there were also other events cancelled because of the pandemic, but we have to think about safety for both our volunteers and the participants.”
According to Amburgey, the Jennings County Historical Society plans to bring back both events in 2021.
“Maybe the pandemic will be gone by then or there will be a vaccine and we won’t have to think about it and things will get back to the way they were,” Amburgey said.
In an effort to make up for the cancellations, an alternative event is planned.
There will be a Movies Under the Stars on Oct. 10 on the courthouse lawn in downtown Vernon. The event is free and open to the pubic.
Two family-friendly seasonal movies will be shown beginning at 7 p.m.
Brad Bender, president of the historical society, said the society still wants to provide a fun alternative event for the community.
According to Bender, a group of volunteers studied the safety guidelines for outdoor gatherings and “new ideas for fall happenings were set in place.”
“The event is a way of offering a fun event that brings people together where social distancing is feasible in an outdoor setting,”museum curator Chris Asher said.
Asher said atendees should plan to bring their own lawn chairs and position themslves to follow distancing guidelines. Hot chocolate, apple cider and popcorn will be available.
Though not admission fee will be collected, free-will donations will be gladly accepted.
