Events at the historic Forest Hills Cemetery / Volunteers needed!

10th Annual Lantern Festival at historic Forest Hills Cemetery

On Thursday, July 17, 6-9 pm (Rain date: July 24), Forest Hills proudly celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Lantern Festival. Over the years, the Lantern Festival has grown into a much-loved community event, drawing more than 4,000 people to this beautiful, historic cemetery to commemorate family and friends. In this breathtaking ceremony of remembrance, visitors to this lush, Victorian landscape make paper lanterns and set them afloat on the peaceful waters of a small lake. This ritual is based on the traditional Japanese Bon Festival, a time when a door opens to the world of the ancestors, allowing us to send messages to the other side. People enjoy picnics on the grass and a multi-cultural program of music and dance. Then they decorate their lanterns with calligraphy and notes to those who have died. At sunset, a candle is lit in each lantern, and the glimmering lanterns
are set afloat. Drifting and flickering with the wind, the lanterns symbolize the soul’s journey when life ends.

Performers include gospel singer Ron Murphy, Master Tsuji’s Samurai Taiko Drummers, and students from Showa Institute and Chu Ling Dance Academy.

Admission is free, with a $10 requested donation per lantern. $10 parking fee; we’re encouraging people to take the T! Info at 617.524.0128 or www.foresthillstrust.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the 10th Annual (2008) Lantern Festival

Help make paper shades:

Join neighbors, bring your friends! We’ll serve pizza, fruit and soda and chat while cutting and pasting lantern shades for this summer’s annual ceremony of remembrance:

Tuesday, JUNE 25 -- 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Eliot School, 24 Eliot St., Jamaica Plain
At the intersection of Eliot St., South St., and Centre St.

Monday, JUNE 30 -- 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Brookline Arts Center, 86 Monmouth St., Brookline
At the corner of St. Mary St. and Monmouth St., just one block from Beacon St.

and/or help out at the Festival:

Volunteer in two-hour shift to hand out programs, greet attendees, and monitor the shade tables. Then receive a FREE lantern and join the festivities.

Thursday, JULY 17 – from 6 to 9 pm. (Rain date: Thursday, July 24)
At Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Avenue, Jamaica Plain

Take the T: Easy walk from Orange Line Forest Hills stop via Tower St. shortcut.
(Parking fee –$10 per vehicle/ FREE for volunteers)

Please RSVP. To sign up, e-mail Meredith Safford at volunteer@foresthillstrust.org or call Jonathan Clark at 617 524 0128 x 51