At a glance

Communing with the dead may seem to be a proper way to spend Halloween, but Patrick Clark knows better.

More accurately, the 1800s-inspired character he'll portray during this year's All Hallows' Eve celebrations isn't buying it.

Those candles moving across a table and chalk writing on the board? Less a manifestation of a long-dead spirit and more the manipulations of an unscrupulous businessman.

Clark, portraying a researcher for the American Society for Psychical Research, will set out to debunk the spiritualism and seances that gained popularity in the late 1800s during the annual event at the Ohio Village, located on the grounds of the Ohio History Center. Festivities will take place during All Hallows' Eve Ohio Village, Interstate 71 and East 17th Avenue 614-297-2300, www.ohiohistory.org 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 21 $12, or $7 for members; $9 for ages 6 to 12 or $4 for child members; free for children ages 5 and younger the next two Saturdays.

Clark works as the educational partnerships coordinator for the Ohio History Connection, which, among its services, operates more than 50 historical sites and museums statewide, including Ohio Village and the Ohio History Center.

The re-created 19th-century town will be populated with period characters who will regale visitors with tales both spooky and educational.

“The opportunity here is to really connect our guests — kids and their families — to a historical perspective that they might not be getting in another environment,” Clark said. “They’re not just reading about it; they’re interacting with these people.”

All Hallows’ Eve has been a fall staple for about 25 years, attracting about 4,000 guests during its two-weekend run, said Jen Cassidy, visitor experience department manager and site director for the Ohio History Connection and Ohio Village.

“It’s a chance to sort of understand how this Halloween holiday was celebrated back in the 1800s,” Cassidy said. “It’s really a tradition in central Ohio for families.”

One of the village's more notable characters is "the Widow," played by Anna Steffen, who shares the tale of her husband's tragic death, a fate that changes every year. As guests progress through the village, they can audition to be a professional mourner in the husband's funeral procession.

Then, a reading of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by presenter Mic O'Halloran is delivered near a bonfire at 7:30 and 9 p.m. each night. The reading ends with a dramatic firelight appearance by the story's goblin, the Headless Horseman.

Pumpkin carving, games and other activities round out the seasonal event.

This Saturday only, Chris Woodyard, the author of the “Haunted Ohio” book series and “The Victorian Book of the Dead,” will be in the emporium to sign books.

Parents need not worry about the event giving their children nightmares.

“It’s a fun evening, not a frightening evening,” Cassidy said. “It celebrates the holiday, but it doesn’t do it in a scary way.”