Peoria Cemetery Launches Unique New Marketing Campaign

A cemetery in central Illinois is embarking on a unique marketing campaign that includes a 5K race and actors dressing as people buried there.

Bob Manning, chairman of the management authority at Springdale Cemetery, said the goal is to encourage more people to buy lots at the Peoria cemetery. He says 10 events will be hosted this month in an effort to diversify the appeal of the sprawling East Bluff property.

Actors from the Prairie Folklore Theater kicked off the initiative by portraying people who have been buried in the cemetery since it opened in 1857.

Visitors were able to meet the famous inhabitants during walking tours.

The cemetery also held the Ron Santo Walk and 5K to Cure Diabetes earlier this month and is set to hold the Screaming Pumpkin Race next week.