Royal Oak Burial Park invites the public to welcome summer by joining with them at the ninth annual Summer So(u)lstice, on Saturday, June 16, an afternoon to stroll the Burial Park with friends and neighbours from our community in a gentle, social setting featuring music, poets, history and, naturally, opportunity to remember departed friends and family.
This year, an official kick-off to the afternoon's festivities will take place at 1:30 p.m. adjacent to the Fountain where we will honour a great friend of Royal Oak Burial Park, Dave Obee, to formally thank him for all of the work he has done on behalf of the Park.
"We are very much looking forward to hosting our 9th Annual Summer So(u)lstice at Royal Oak Burial Park and celebrate our 95th Anniversary of serving the people - our families - in this community. This event continues to offer a great opportunity to remember and honour our loved ones, while enjoying an afternoon on our beautiful grounds," said Crystabelle Fobler the Park's Executive Director. "After the kick-off you will once again enjoy the activities and entertainment as in past years, including a vintage car display in honour of DAD on Father's Day weekend."
A highlight for many is to hear Victoria's renowned acapella women's choral group Ensemble Laude, singing throughout the Park, and scheduled at 3:30 in the Mausoleum.
Local composer Brooke Maxwell who has gathered local musicians to create The Sweet Chariot Processional Band - harpist Gwyneth Evans, and clarinetists Erin Onyschtschuk's and Dominic Thibault's can also be enjoyed in the landscape and for scheduled appearances in the Mausoleum. An event map with performance schedule is posted on: www.robp.ca
Once again the public can have a personal poem composed by resident poets, this year including Yvonne Blomer, Poet Laureate for the City of Victoria, Carla Funk and Wendy Morton ,whose random acts of poetry inspired this unique tradition.
Visitors can create unique floral tributes, messages, parchment memory flags and Burial Park staff will be on hand to help visitors locate sites of ancestors.
"Summer So(u)lstice at Royal Oak Burial Park has become a real tradition for many; an opportunity to come and remember our dead whether interred in the burial park or elsewhere, in a beautiful and supportive social setting. Working with staff and a few volunteers to welcome the public is something I look forward to every year." Says local artist Paula Jardine, the founder of the event.
Visitors are welcome to tour throughout the Burial Park and see feature locations like the Woodlands Green Burial area, the Mausoleum, the Little Spirits Garden dedicated to infant loss, and our newest area, Section T, Phase III.
Summer So(u)lstice is Saturday, June 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. With an official kick-off ceremony at 1:30. It is free, suitable for all ages, and wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be served.