Building a better Lakewood | Learn about our new Welcome Center
Community Celebrations
The Great Big Garden Party at Lakewood
August 21, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Purchase Tickets
Registration for free boxed sandwiches has closed
You are still welcome to join us for the Great Big Garden Party! A limited number of additional boxed lunches may be available to those who didn’t register on a first-come, first-serve basis. We also encourage you to bring your own picnic to enjoy with family and friends.
Celebrate 150 Years
In honor of our 150th anniversary, we want to show our appreciation to all the people who have helped make us who we are today – like you!
Join us for a casual gathering on the grassy grounds of Lakewood, where you can relax and picnic with a free sandwich and sides courtesy of Lakewood (registration required using the green “Get Tickets” button above) – or bring your own. There will be live music, art inspired activities, carriage rides and fun for the whole family.
Please note: Registration is only required if you want a sandwich box. Registration for sandwiches will end on Sunday, August 14th.
Activities and sandwich boxes were made possible thanks to the generosity of the Lakewood Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to sustain Lakewood as a local treasure by supporting educational programming and the preservation and restoration of Lakewood’s landscape, art, architecture and public spaces—for the benefit of all.
Learn more about the Lakewood Heritage Foundation’s mission and upcoming initiatives.
If the event needs to be shifted due to weather, please monitor our Facebook page for updates leading up to the event.
What To Bring
- A picnic blanket or something to sit on. A limited number of tables and chairs will be available under a tent on the event site, but we encourage you to set up a picnic spot with your loved ones
- Water and/or a water bottle
- A sun hat or umbrella for some shade (optional)
- Sunscreen (optional)
- Bug spray (optional)
- Picnic supplies (optional) : If you are not having a sandwich box or miss the registration date, you are welcome bring your own picnic and enjoy the music and activities!
Sandwich Boxes
Enjoy a sandwich featuring a delicious ham or turkey or veggies croissant, along with fresh fruit, chips and a water. You must RSVP in advance for a sandwich box. If you aren’t able to register in advance, you are still welcome to show up and bring your own picnic meal!
Registration for sandwiches will end on Sunday, August 14.
Live Music
Lakewood is honored to welcome The OK Factor as our musical guests for this special event. Playful and unexpected, new-classical crossover duo The OK Factor writes and performs folk-inspired music influenced by multiple genres and styles, with an artistry that reveals their classical training. Cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan find great joy in defying expectations and delivering an experience outside of what audiences anticipate from a cello and violin combo. Their passion for performing and educational outreach has continued to bring them success in communities across the Midwest and abroad, inviting audiences to explore music and cultivate a curiosity about its role in their lives.
Carriage Rides
Travel through the cemetery as visitors once did—by horse and carriage. Enjoy a pleasant ride around Lakewood’s oldest section with views of beautiful, historic monuments. Carriage rides will be available from 4-6pm.
Raffle
As part of this special celebration, we will be raffling off Lakewood picnic blankets throughout the event and 3 grand-prize baskets at the end of the celebration. Stop by the raffle tent to learn more!
Art and Activities
Spend time together creating memories at Lakewood while you learn new crafts and activities.
- COMPAS teaching artist Katrina Knutson will be leading a collage activity to honor someone who is loved and missed. Supplies will be provided, and we encourage you to bring copies of photos to create your collage
- COMPAS teaching artist Merit Thursday will guide you through the process of creating a flipbook – a drawing activity where you tell a story by drawing a series of pictures then flipping through them to make the images appear to be moving
- Sewing Circle will be onsite creating a quilt to honor Lakewood’s 150th Anniversary. Be a part of this historical craft and help us create a square about what Lakewood means to you as we mark this special occasion
- Coloring pages will be available at the information tent for those looking for a more independent activity
- Ribbons will be available for the Living Memory Tree to write a name or memory of someone who is being missed and remembered and tie it to the tree in this beautiful symbol of community memorialization and remembrance
Getting To the Event
This event takes place in the open area near the Living Memory Tree just inside Lakewood’s main gates. Small signs will be posted, but keep an eye out for the big tents! Of course we always encourage walking whenever possible to alleviate traffic congestion. Click here for GPS directions to the event location (this will open Google Maps)
Driving
You are welcome to park onsite on any of Lakewood’s roads unless marked no parking. Due to the high number of attendees for this event you may need to walk to get to the event site. A limited number of handicap parking spots will be available near the event site. We strongly encourage carpooling if possible.
Bussing
A bus stop is available just outside of Lakewood’s gates at 36th and Hennepin. It is a short walk to the event site from the gate.
Biking
If you choose to bike, please be mindful of vehicles entering and exiting through the main gates. We ask that you park your bike at the small bike rack near the main entrance, please do not lock your bike to any trees. There are two nice ride stations available a short distance from Lakewood at 34th/Hennepin and 36th/Bryant.
FAQs
Can I attend without registering?
Registration is only required for a free sandwich box. If you would like to bring your own meal, or just enjoy the activities and music, you can just show up without registering!
Will there be seating available?
We will have limited tables and chairs available under a tent. We encourage visitors to bring picnic blankets or chairs and pop-up wherever they feel comfortable!
Will restrooms be available?
Yes! We will have outdoor restrooms available near the event site, and indoor restrooms will be available in the Garden Mausoleum and Memorial Chapel.
Questions
Call the Lakewood events line at 612-540-5165 or email to events@lakewoodcemetery.org
