The Mount Bethel Cemetery in Columbia is the final resting place of many people who played key roles in Columbia's history. You can help preserve that history by attending Fête en Noir, a fundraiser organized by the Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery.

The event will be held on Friday, Aug. 13, in the cemetery, located at 700 Locust St. Entrance to the grounds will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a bring-your-own-picnic from 6 to 9 p.m.

The event was inspired by similar local fundraisers, said Kathy Hohenadel, a member of the Friends group. "We saw the Fête en Blanc, which is held in Lancaster, and we thought, 'What a cool idea,'" she recalled. "Since we're doing this in a cemetery, we decided to do Fête en Noir and encourage people to wear black."

Looking at the calendar this year, the Friends saw that a Friday the 13th will occur in August, and they thought it made the perfect date for the event. Participants should bring their own picnic food to the Fête en Noir and should also make reservations as a group, Hohenadel noted, adding, "We'll reserve tables and seat people by their group, whether it's a group of four or a group of eight, or whatever size." Music will be provided by a DJ, and participants will have the opportunity to hit the dance floor or stroll the grounds and take in the cemetery's beauty.

"It will be a wonderful opportunity to have an outside picnic with friends or family in a unique setting," Hohenadel stated. "It's starting early enough that there will be enough daylight if you want to walk around through the cemetery and look at the interesting tombstones and statuary and enjoy the history that's there, or you can just sit and socialize with your friends and enjoy the music."

The event was not held last year due to the pandemic, but it drew about 80 people in 2019, Hohenadel said. She hopes to increase attendance this year, noting that the event helps the Friends group support the cemetery. Along with the admission charge, there will be other fundraising opportunities happening throughout the event, she stated.

Proceeds from the Fête en Noir help maintain the cemetery, which covers a wide area of property. "The major cost we have is the upkeep of the lawn," Hohenadel explained. "In addition to mowing, there's a lot of trimming around all of the crypts and tombstones. We spend $14,000 a year on lawn care."

The Fête en Noir is made possible through the sponsorship of the American Legion Paul Revere Leber Post 372, the Chickies Rock Moose Family Center and the Columbia Fraternal Association, as well as the Columbia Lions Club and Kleen-Rite Corporation.

The rain date for the Fête en Noir is Saturday, Aug. 14. Reservations for the event are required by Friday, Aug. 6, and may be made by calling Jane Moore at 717-575-9760 or emailing Claire Storm at astorm495@comcast.net.