Historical Davis Cemetery Celebrating Its New Arboretum and Expansion with a Free Music Festival

Davis Cemetery and Arboretum (820 Pole Line Road, Davis, CA) invites you to join us for our sixth annual Celebration of Life Art Festival and dedication ceremony for the opening of the historic hill and the arboretum on May 17, 2015 from 1-4:00pm with a special viewing of the gallery from 12-1:00pm.

This will be a fun, family friendly event that will celebrate the arts, culture and history of our community.

One of California’s historic cemeteries, in existence for 160 years (since 1855), the day will celebrate our new arboretum and expansion of services in our historic hill section. The arboretum is a welcome addition to our beautiful grounds that already includes a natural swale and walking labyrinths.

The arboretum features a collection of over 150 species of native and California adapted plants uniquely suited for Yolo County’s climate, soil and water. It will serve the community over many years as an educational resource and a place of peaceful contemplation. The opening of the historic hill for services is one of the many ways we are meeting the needs of our community.

This year’s festival will feature musical performances and poetry from a diverse group of celebrated entertainers The afternoon will include an enthusiastic performance by the Bakuhatsu Taiko drummers, the wit and prose of Davis’ own poet laureate, Dr. Andy Jones, the a cappella group the Free Range Singers and ending the day will be a riveting and lively performance from the celebrated jazz sextet the West End Stompers (Justin Au on trumpet, Otis Mourning on reeds, Brandon Au on trombone, Devan Kortan on banjo/guitar, Zack Sapunor on bass, Tim Metz on drums). Mayor Dan Wolk will be on hand to speak at the dedication ceremony.

Gallery 1855 located on the cemetery grounds will hold its annual Celebration of Life group exhibition in concurrence with the festival. This group exhibition features work in a variety of mediums by over 30 local artists. The exhibition will run from May 1, 2015-May 31, 2015.

We encourage friends to bring their blankets and chairs and enjoy a beautiful day at the newest arboretum in California. The Ajicito Food Truck will be selling authentic Peruvian Food on site throughout the day.

More information at www.daviscemetery.org