Join us at historic Green Lawn Cemetery for this family-friendly event to celebrate the work of one of America’s most beloved humorists (and cemetery resident), James Thurber!

Relax among the 200 year old trees and over 175 years of history as you eat a delicious picnic dinner from our friends at City Barbeque, enjoy live music, and listen to dramatic tellings of some of James Thurber’s most famous stories, including “The Night the Ghost Got In” and “The Dog That Bit People.” Thurber’s timeless tales will be told by special guest readers, bringing his wit and charm to life under the open sky.

Green Lawn Cemetery’s knowledgeable historians will also lead tours of the Thurber family gravesite, where our namesake humorist is buried and the iconic statue of James Thurber’s infamous Airedale terrier Muggs, “The Dog That Bit People,” has watched over his family since its installation in 2021.

ABOUT GREEN LAWN CEMETERY & THE GRAND GAZEBO

Green Lawn Cemetery opened in 1849 as 84 acres and has since grown to 325 acres, making it Ohio’s second largest cemetery. Its majestic grounds feature a native forest, historic mausoleums and unique monuments, and the Tiffany-decorated Huntington Chapel. Green Lawn is the final resting place of several U.S. presidential families, five governors, five Medal of Honor recipients, artists, actors, and over 6,000 U.S. veterans.

In 2024, the Grand Gazebo at Green Lawn Cemetery was placed on a grassy lawn at the original east entrance, now the center of the cemetery, to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the consecration and opening of the grounds. The theme of both the structure and the anniversary year is “175 Years of Love and Remembrance.”  The Grand Gazebo was intended to provide an event centerpiece that is both impressive and practical—a spot for performances, services, weddings, photography, and other memorable occasions.

DINNER SPONSOR: CITY BARBEQUE

A special thank you to City Barbeque for generously sponsoring our picnic dinner at Green Lawn Cemetery! Thanks to their support, guests will enjoy delicious, mouthwatering BBQ.