No Registration Needed

29th Annual Fredericksburg National Cemetery Luminaria 2024

Saturday, May 25, 2024 (Rain Date – Sun. May 26th)

The Fredericksburg National Cemetery Luminaria Committee, Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, and the National Park Service, invite volunteers to work together each year on Memorial Day Weekend, to honor the 15,300 soldiers who were laid to rest in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.  Prior to that weekend, SOME 17,000 BAGS (including those that line the walkways) MUST BE CUFFED TWICE ALONG THE TOP, so they will stand open during the event.  Please contact one of the individuals listed below to receive bundles of 250 or 500 bags for cuffing, and return them ASAP to these individuals. (When picking up bags, you will be informed of the turn-in deadline.)

Spotsylvania, Mattaponi Area - Jack & Kim Walmer – jkwalmer@aol.com

Aquia Area – Jennifer Bell – cajnbell4@verizon.net

Fredericksburg & Stafford Area - Lauren Bass - ltbass65@gmail.com

The following are the dates, times, and locations of all the activities that need to be completed:

Sat. April 20th, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm – SANDBAGGING – National Park Offices at 602-604  Lee Drive - From I-95, take Rt. 3

East, pass under Rt. 1, make a right at the 2nd light on to Lafayette Blvd., take the roundabout and exit on to Lee Drive, make the second right, then look for individuals directing traffic for parking and drop off.

(Whether it is for one hour or five, any help is greatly appreciated.  Bring water bottles and snacks. Be sure to dress comfortably.)  FOR ALL AGE LEVELS

CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT OF THIS EVENT IS DETERMINED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UP TO THE TIME OF LIGHTING

Sat. May 25th, 8:30 am until completed – BAG LAYOUT – National Cemetery – Meet in the center of the National Cemetery at the Humphreys Monument.  Please use the UMW parking lot at the corner of William St & Sunken Rd. From I-95, take Rt. 3 East, pass under Rt. 1, make a left at the 1st light on to William St., pass College Ave., and there will be parking at the UMW lot on the right, at the corner of William St. and Sunken Rd.  Walk from the parking lot along Sunken Rd. towards Hanover St. Cross Hanover and pass the Innis House on your left.  Proceed down Sunken Rd., then right through the Main Gate and up the hill.  (Bring wagons, full water bottles, snacks and dress comfortably.)  FOR ALL AGE LEVELS

                           6:30 pm ASSEMBLE / 7:00 pm - LUMINARIA LIGHTING – Meet in the center of the National Cemetery at the Humphreys Monument - Park in the UMW lot on William St. and proceed through the Main Gate up the hill (see above).  There will be transportation available from this parking lot to the Visitors’ Center from 7:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.  (Bring your own lighters and water bottles. (DRESS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION’S OFFICIAL UNIFORM.) Due to the use of lighters, this activity is FOR OLDER YOUTH (11YRS OLD & ABOVE) AND ADULTS ONLY, PLEASE!!

                           8:00 pm – 11:00 pm LUMINARIA EVENT – National Cemetery

                           FREE TO THE PUBLIC – Parking at UMW lot on William St. (see above).  Handicapped parking available at the National Park Visitor’s Center. The National Park DOES NOT ALLOW PETS in the cemetery.

Sun. May 26th,  8:30 am until completed - BAG CLEAN UP – National Cemetery – (Bring water bottles, snacks and dress comfortably.) FOR ALL AGE LEVELS

*PLEASE REGISTER FOR THESE ACTIVITIES BY CONTACTING

Jack & Kim Walmer – jkwalmer@aol.com with which activity(ies), Group #, number of adults attending, and number of youth attending.*

*This event is funded entirely by donations. You can help by making your donation here: www.fowb.org/donate Designate your gift to "Luminaria"