Some might consider it a spooky date, but Friday the 13th is the perfect time for Fete en Noir, a fundraiser organized by the Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery. The event will be held on Sept. 13 in the cemetery, located at 700 Locust St., Columbia. Entrance to the grounds will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the event will run from 6 to 9 p.m.

"How appropriate is it that the fete falls on Friday, the 13th this year?" mused Kathleen Hohenadel, a member of the Mount Bethel Cemetery board of directors. "Guests may expect a relaxing evening complete with music, conversation and fundraisers throughout the event. This is a great opportunity to connect with family and friends while enjoying a slightly upscale picnic atmosphere. Tiki torches and other low-level lighting will provide a warm glow, and attendees will leave with a warm feeling of having supported a worthy cause."

Guests are invited to bring their own picnics for the party. People are encouraged to dress in black and to create a festive atmosphere by inviting friends and sharing seating at tables that will be set up in the cemetery. Live music will be provided by the Todd Fulginiti Trio. This three-piece group highlights the musical talents of Fulginiti, who has performed with musicians including Ray Charles and Frankie Valli throughout his long career.

As Hohenadel explained, the fete celebrates the history of the cemetery, which is the final resting place of many people who played key roles in Columbia's history. The cemetery dates to the early 1700s and was incorporated in the mid-1800s.

"When Mount Bethel Cemetery observed its 150th anniversary of incorporation, one of the celebratory events was a Fete en Noir held at a local venue," she shared. "When the committee for the anniversary held a debriefing, it was decided to continue the fete but to move it outdoors to the cemetery grounds, modeled after the Fete en Blanc held in Lancaster."

Funds raised by the fete help to offset maintenance costs at the cemetery. "Some of the projects and costs that Friends of Mount Bethel has been able to offset include the cost of mowing the grounds, maintenance of the macadam walkways and help with painting costs," Hohenadel said.

Friends of Mount Bethel, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2017 as a fundraising arm of Mount Bethel Cemetery. The group supports the mission of Mount Bethel Cemetery by organizing events that serve the dual purposes of promoting awareness of the cemetery and raising funds to maintain the grounds. The Fete en Noir is made possible through the sponsorship of the Foresters of America Court Susquehanna 235, the Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge 1074, Nikolaus & Hohenadel, the Columbia Fraternal Association and Kleen-Rite Corporation.

Admission to Fete en Noir is by reservation only. To make a reservation, call the Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery at 717-681-6768 or email friendsofmtbethel@gmail.com. In the case of rain, the event will be moved to St. John's Lutheran Church, a neighbor of Mount Bethel Cemetery.