Not very often does one get the opportunity to celebrate in a cemetery.

But at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10, Carthage area residents are invited to attend the 4th Annual May Cemetery Event in Park Cemetery.

According to Sue Vandergriff, member of the planning committee, the event is a celebration of the lives and history of Carthage.

Three major events will take place during the celebration – music by the Heartland Concert Band, dedication of a stone for Civil War veteran and a mini-Chautauqua featuring portrayals of local legends.

In addition, a sack supper consisting of hamburger and hot dog, chips, cookie and drink for $5 will be catered by McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital.

The Heartland Concert Band will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. playing music appropriate to the occasion.

The dedication of the stone for the Civil War veteran will be at 6 p.m. Honored will be Moses Waldron who was with the Confederate charge at Picket’s Landing in Gettysburg. He was not from Carthage but someone settled here after the war. Local historian Steve Weldon suggested he should be the veteran to be honored this year.

At 6:30 p.m., three local legends will be portrayed:

• Notorious outlaw Bell Starr will be portrayed by Priscilla Bethel;

• Norris Hood, a Jasper County sheriff who is credited with saving all of the Jasper County records during the Civil War, will be portrayed by Doug Dickey;

• Lucy Hood-Cunningham, a daughter of Norris Hood and the person in Andy Thomas’ painting “Petticoat Flag,” portrayed by Jean Baucom.

“We really think people will have a good time at this event,” said Vandergriff. “We encourage everyone to come and bring lawn chairs and wear period dress if they would like.”

The event is sponsored by Knell Mortuary and Park Cemetery.