More than a Walk in the Park

  • History buffs made their way through Highlands Memorial Park on Friday and Saturday as part of the “Walk in the Park” fundraiser hosted by the Highlands Historical Society. Local actors portrayed famous Highlanders from several generations since the town’s founding.
    History buffs made their way through Highlands Memorial Park on Friday and Saturday as part of the “Walk in the Park” fundraiser hosted by the Highlands Historical Society. Local actors portrayed famous Highlanders from several generations since the town’s founding.

    A cemetery is not typically a “cool” place to hang out.

    And even more rarely is it a place to learn and be entertained.

    But this weekend the Highlands Memorial Park served as a perfect backdrop for two days of informative fun as the Highlands Historical Society hosted its annual “Walk in the Park” fundraiser.

    The event featured actors dressed up like famous Highlanders of days gone by. As groups of guests made their way around the cemetery the actors gave presentations about the lives and times of the characters they were portraying.

    “We have done this event a few times over the years and it’s always been pretty popular, but I think this year was our best attended yet,” Highlands Historical Society President Harry MacDonald said as he greeted busloads of walk participants. “We can’t thank all of our volunteers enough, the actors, the shuttle workers, folks directing traffic, it takes a lot of work to put this type of event on.”

    Some of the famous Highlanders featured in the “Walk in the Park” included Samuel Kelsey, Mary Lapham, Charlie and Helen Wright, and Helen McKinney Thompson. Tickets for the event were $15 with all proceeds going to support the historical society and its programs.

    Following the walk in the park, the Historical Society will be hosting a “Big Hats and Bowties” fundraiser on Aug. 6 and the annual “Dazzling Dahlia Festival” on Sept. 9-10.

    For more information about the Highlands Historical Society, visit www.highlandshistory.com or visit the Historic Village at 524 N. 4th Street in Highlands from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.