Cemetery Centennial Potluck 2010

Every 2nd Saturday of September our mountain community gathers for the annual cemetery potluck.  This tradition has gone on for decades, starting as an annual clean-up and transforming into a day spent decorating the headstones and enjoying good food and good company.   I'll admit that I originally found the concept odd, at best.  I simply couldn't wrap my head around eating at a cemetery, uckk!  However, I have found it to be a truly sweet way of showing respect for those family members that have passed on.  Our little mountain is predominatly inhabited by folks whose families have owned this land for generations and our cemetery serves as the final resting place of those who have gone before them.  The tradition brings generations of family home each year allowing them the opportunity to spend time with cousins, aunts, parents, siblings and grandparents in one visit.  While the potluck takes place for only one day, the family gatherings go on for several days beforehand and even afterward.    Wondering what a Cemetery potluck looks like?  Well, here are some pictures of this years gathering, which happened to be the Centennial Anniversary of the mountain cemetery.

 The tree over the cement tables is an oak whose acorns have been known to cause serious injury so several years back the community got together a built a covered pavilion to avoid this.  It's a great addition and helped hugely when a storm came through this year.

Tucked up under the tree in the corner is a wonderful little gospel band that plays during the gathering.

Four generations of the Sisk Family, a local family who have been on the mountain for over 100 years.

We always have a great time visiting with everyone and I find I look forward to this event every year.  My husband and I own plots in this cemetery and hope that our extended family will continue to participate in this wonderful tradition.