Family-Friendly Thurber Barbecue at Historic Green Lawn Cemetery

Saturday, August 9 at the grand gazebo at green lawn cemetery

Folding chairs will be provided for this event, but you may choose to bring your own lawn chair or blanket if you prefer.

REGISTER

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.
We’re grateful to City Barbeque for their commitment to our community and for helping make this celebration of James Thurber even more special.
‣ Picnic Social | 6:00-6:30 pm (Optional)
Enjoy a picnic dinner (ours or yours) and hang out on the lawn during this time frame before the main program starts (optional).
‣ Main Program | 6:30-7:30 pm
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the readings and guided tours of James Thurber’s gravesite.
‣ Full Summer Subscription for 2 (Event Only) | $185
($176 subscription, $9 Columbus ticket fee)
Perfect for couples and friends, this series subscription admits up to two (2) attendees to each of the five (5) Summer Picnic Events (a $210 value!). *Does not include dinner, but you can add à la carte dinners using the “Dinner Upgrade” option.*
‣ Adult Admission (Event + Dinner) | $41
($20 ticket, $1 Columbus ticket fee, $20 dinner)
This ticket includes individual admission to the event, plus a catered boxed dinner with an entree, sides, and a drink. Regular and vegetarian options are available for this event (sorry, no vegan option); for menus, visit the “Dinner Menus” tab below.
‣ Adult Admission (Event Only) | $21
($20 ticket, $1 Columbus ticket fee)
This ticket includes individual admission to the event.
‣ 18 and Under Admission (Event Only) | $8.50
($8 ticket, $0.50 Columbus ticket fee)
This ticket includes individual admission to the event for attendees 18 and under.
‣ Dinner Upgrade | $20
Add a boxed dinner to any 18 and Under ticket (or an Event Only ticket, if you change your mind later) for $20 per meal. You do not need to add a Dinner Upgrade if your ticket already comes with a dinner.
This upgrade includes one catered boxed dinner with an entree, sides, and a drink. Regular and vegetarian options are available for this event (sorry, no vegan option). For menus, visit the “Dinner Menus” tab below.
Note: Some walk-in Event Only tickets will be available at the event (space permitting). However, we strongly encourage you to register in advance. All Event + Dinner tickets and Dinner Upgrades must be purchased at least several business days in advance.
The caterer for this picnic is… City Barbeque!
If you’d like a boxed dinner for this event, make sure to select an Event + Dinner ticket when you order. Dinners must be purchased by 10am on Aug 6 for this event.
‣ Regular menu:
- Pulled pork sandwich
- Mac ‘n cheese
- Baked beans
- Cookie
- Pickles
- Original sauce
- Choice of drink: water, pop, etc.
‣ Vegetarian menu:
- Black bean burger
- Mac ‘n cheese
- Creamy slaw
- Cookie
- Pickles
- Original sauce
- Choice of drink: water, pop, etc.
‣ Location: This event will take place at Green Lawn Cemetery’s Grand Gazebo (1000 Greenlawn Ave, Columbus, OH 43223). To reach the gazebo, enter the cemetery due west via Greenlawn Avenue and keep going straight to the fork. The gazebo will be straight ahead. Click here for the exact location of the gazebo.
‣ Rain site: In the event of rain, this event will be held at Huntington Chapel, located within Green Lawn Cemetery. To reach the chapel, enter the cemetery due west via Greenlawn Avenue and keep going straight to the fork. At the fork, take a soft right, but generally continue straight in the same direction (due west). The chapel is the only large building in sight. Click here for the exact location of the chapel.
‣ Free parking: Free “street” parking is available within Green Lawn Cemetery. Please park on one of the side roads and leave room for vehicles to pass by. There are no designated parking spots. If you are mobile, please consider leaving spaces close to the gazebo open for those who have more difficulty walking/traveling longer distances.
Most of the roads in the cemetery are paved and easily navigated by wheelchairs and walkers.
Please park on one of the side roads and leave room for vehicles to pass by. There are no designated accessible parking spots along the roads. We ask those who are mobile to leave spaces close to the gazebo open for those who have more difficulty walking/traveling longer distances.
If we must move to our rain site at Huntington Chapel, the chapel is also accessible.
For any questions that are not answered here, please contact Jess at jcox@thurberhouse.org or 614-412-5955.
‣ Who is presenting this event? This is a Thurber House event that is being held at Green Lawn Cemetery.
‣ How will I receive my tickets? You will receive an email order confirmation containing your ticket(s). You can print or show your ticket(s) on your phone. If you are unable to do so, we will manually check you in.
‣ Can I order tickets by phone? Yes, although online orders are encouraged. To order by phone, call 614-412-5955.
‣ How do the picnic dinners work this year? If you order a ticket that includes a dinner or a dinner upgrade, your boxed meal comes with an entree, sides, and a drink. Various meal options are available. At this time, we cannot accommodate allergies.
‣ Is outside food/drink permitted? Yes! You have the option of bringing your own picnic dinner.
‣ Do I need to bring a chair with me? Folding chairs will be provided for this event, but you may choose to bring your own lawn chair or blanket if you prefer.
‣ Is there a bathroom? Yes, bathrooms will be available in Huntington Chapel.
‣ What is your refund policy? All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
‣ What is the Columbus ticket fee? The total ticket price includes the Columbus Arts and Culture Fee as required by the City of Columbus. The Arts and Culture Fee provides public funds to support artists and arts/cultural organizations like Thurber House that educate and engage audiences of all ages. Click here for more information.
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Disclaimer: Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.