I found this site because we are heading down south this weekend, Labor Day 2007, to celebrate our Decoration Day. Living in Indiana since I was 4, it has been amusing trying to explain to people what it is! Our tradition started at our family cemetary back in the 40s or 50s and now has grown to include 2 cemetaries that are walking distance of each other, and sometimes a couple hundred friends and family. I must note here that I am talking about West Virginia. On Sunday morning everyone gathers at the top of Estep Ridge, which was named after my family. The cemetary that we decorate is called the Jonce Estep Cemetary and the other one was named after his brother and his brother's decendants are buried there. Plots are free, first come first serve, but you have to be related by blood or marriage. The Old Regular Baptist church that is associated with the graveyard comes and does a long sermon, first at the Jonce Esstep one that is at the very top of the mountain. Then, they go down and do one at the other graveyard. Then, everyone gathers at my mom's late uncle Harvey's house, where his daughters now live. They run the whole annual event which is funded by donations from people who atttend. They rent big tents and cook tons of food. This is not a carry-in. It used to be a picnic on the ground event where everone brought their own picnic baskets, but now the sisters do it all themselves. Everyone comes from all over the US and eat, eat, eat, mingle and reconnect with friends and family they haven't seen in awhile. It is getting bigger and bigger and we refer to it as a family reunion even though alot are just church members or friends of the deceased. The graves are not flattened out. Each grave has a mound where all the dirt was placed back on top. We put flowers all down the mounds, not just near the tombstones. We love that is is in September, because we get the decorations on sale and on clearance after Memorial Day! Look forward to it each year.

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