Get Spooked! ‘Tis the Season for Dead, Death, and Zombies in Aurora
This Halloween, look no further than Aurora to scare and shiver. Not only is downtown Aurora home to Basement of the Dead, but Aurora also hosts a few very noteworthy events that are fun for all ages.
Death at Tanner House
Customs surrounding death in the Victorian era were a far cry from what they are today, and there is no better place to learn about that than in the elegant 1857 Tanner House Museum in Aurora during the Halloween season.
The Aurora Historical Society will stage nightly tours of the house, with an emphasis on Victorian culture, on October 22,23, 24, 29 and 30. Tours are at 6:30 and 8:00pm. Admission is $15 per person, or $12 for society members. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required: please phone 630-906-0650 or visit www.aurorahistory.net.
“No one will be jumping out of the bushes with a chain saw,” says docent Laurel Ormond, who will be acting the role of young Fannie Simpson as she deals with the social customs surrounding her grandfather’s death in 1892. “This is more about the jitters you get when Grandmother is calling for a spirit medium while the undertaker is casually whistling in the pantry .”
The museum is at 305 Cedar Street, Aurora, IL 60506. More information is available at www.facebook.com/aurorahistory
Zombies in DTA
Downtown will be crawling with zombies on Thursday, Oct. 29 during this fun library event. Come down and join the dead as they crawl through downtown, then end up at the library for a game of zombie tag. 5 to 8 p.m. Register at the event. Free.
Day of the Dead
Come downtown Aurora on Sunday, Nov. 1 for a fun, all ages, family-friendly celebration of Dia de los Muertos. The Day of the Dead festivities begin on Benton Street in front of SciTech with food vendors, dancing, music, and more. Then the celebration continues indoors at Santori Public Library at 2 p.m. where ofrendas will be on display. Join in on this great, cultural celebration.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. Culture Stock hosts a free mask-making workshop for the whole community. Come and make a paper mask for Day of the Dead. Free! Register on Facebook here.
