Halloween at the Casket Factory
They say something horrible led to the closing of Downtown's old casket factory. On the night of October 26th, those who have the courage to peek inside will find out why the full story hasn't been reported after all these years.
On Saturday October 26, 2013, the Jacksonville Historical Society will stage what will surely be the greatest Halloween party in Jacksonville’s history. It will take place at the Casket Factory, a mysterious old brick building on the edge of Downtown. The building is 15,000 square feet, partially covered with vines, and thought by many to be haunted.
This event is a fund-raiser to support the restoration and maintenance of Old St. Luke’s Hospital, a National Register landmark constructed in 1878, and owned by the Jacksonville Historical Society. Old St. Luke’s and the Casket Factory are located at 314 Palmetto Street, adjacent to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
The party will include live bands, outstanding food, libations, dancing, a costume contest, performers, and a frightful Labyrinth of Terror. At midnight, the winner of the Totally Amazing Costume Contest will be announced, with prizes valued at $1,000.
Event Summary
Date & Time: Saturday October 26, 2013 – 8pm to 1am
Everyone must have a costume to enter
Location: 314 Palmetto Street, adjacent to Old St. Luke’s Hospital and the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
The party will include three areas:
Casket Factory 3rd floor – live band, dancing, costume contest, social gathering, bar
Casket Factory 2nd floor – The Labyrinth of Terror, food tables, lounges
Lawn – large circus tent, with bar and performers
Attendance: Open to the public; limited to 500 people; must be 21 or older, with proper ID
Price: $48.50 per person [price includes two drink tickets]; $60.00 per person, day of event
Entertainment: Bands and a variety of performers, TBA
Beer & Wine: Adult libations
Food: Gourmet bites from 15 fine local restaurants
Parking: On the Casket Factory grounds and at the city parking lot across the street
The Totally Amazing Costume Contest: the winner will be announced at midnight, with prizes valued at $1,000. NOTE: Everyone must have a costume to enter
PURCHASE TICKET HERE!
The Florida Casket Company in 1937.
Think of things this way: the old Florida Casket Factory is not very scary in appearance. It's a big, brick, plain, four-sided structure that lacks visual interest, haunted or otherwise. The first floor windows have been bricked over and vines cover the north side. The Factory stands there -- stark and rectangular -- and is quite unassuming. It's like a person whose face -- emotion -- thoughts -- and secrets -- you can't read. It's a poker-faced building. However, those four walls contain enough fright to fill a hundred nightmares. As they say, "It's all on the inside!" And, on the 26th of October, we're going in. So who knows? Perhaps whatever lurks inside will welcome the Halloween festivities of the living. It might enjoy it so much that it may even follow some lucky guest home.....
Volunteering
An event of this size needs the services of several volunteers. Metro Jacksonville co-founder and Jacksonville Historical Society board member Ennis Davis is helping to lead the volunteering effort. As a perk for your services, you will receive free admission to Halloween at the Casket Factory and more. If interested in volunteering on October 26th, contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com by Friday, October 25, 2013.
Organizer
The Jacksonville Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1929. $25 of the price of each ticket may be considered a tax-deductible contribution.