1,000 People to Create Massive 'Living Arrowhead' on National Mall

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Park Service is celebrating their centennial anniversary in a big way -- by having more than 1,000 participants create a living version of the NPS's arrowhead emblem next to the Washington Monument this week.

It's not too late to participate in the event -- you can pre-register here. Participants will assemble on the west side of the Washington Monument at 9 a.m. on Aug. 25, and then the "Living Arrowhead" will be assembled at 10 a.m. using brown, green and white umbrellas -- so don't worry if it rains, according to an NPS statement.

"Once the Arrowhead is formed, an aerial photograph will be taken of the Living Arrowhead and shared with participants on the National Mall and Memorial Parks website and social media pages," the statement notes. "The first 1,000 participants to arrive will receive a t-shirt commemorating their participation in this historic event, as well as get to keep their umbrella."

The arrowhead has been the emblem of the National Park Service since July 20, 1951.

"The elements of the emblem symbolize the major facets of the national park system," the statement adds. "The Sequoia tree and bison represent vegetation and wildlife, the mountains and water represent scenic and recreational values, and the arrowhead represents historical and archeological values. Along with the ranger uniform, the arrowhead is the principal means by which the National Park Service is identified by the public."

The National Park Service was formed on Aug. 25, 1916 by Congress through the National Park Service Organic Act. It is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. The role of the NPS is to both preserve the ecological and historical integrity of the nation's parks, and to make the parks available and accessible to the public.

Image via NPS