Community Events
District Community Events
Each year the District hosts several community events that are held on the cemetery grounds. Coordination of these events is handled by District or Cemetery staff members. If you are interested in participating in any of these events or want additional information, please contact Mary Funk, District Secretary at (949) 951-9102, extension 110. Upcoming events are listed below and will also be posted on the Events section of the District web page.
JULY
Anheim Cemetery Candlelight Historical Tour - Sunday, July 9, 2017
The public is invited to commemorate Anaheim Cemetery's 150th anniversary of service to the community at a free Candlelight Historical Tour on Sunday, July 9th from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The event will feature several stops in the cemetery where docents and actors in period cotumes relate interesting and colorful stories about the people and families interred in the cemetery who contributed to the history of Anaheim, Orange County, and America. Sean Oliu, a direct descendant of Petra Ontiveros Langenberger (the first person interred at Anaheim Cemetery) is a gifted mariachi musician and will serenade visitors at the conclusion of the tour. Tours will depart from the east gate of the cemetery every 10 to 15 minutes with the final tour departing at 9:30 p.m. Each tour will last about 30 minutes. Although conducted at night, the tour is not a scary event and both children and adults will enjoy seeing the actors and hearing their stories. Most attendees will walk the tour, but for those with disabilities, cars may also be driven on the tour and wheelchairs and scooters are also welcome.
OCTOBER
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society - 20th Annual Cemetery Tour Every October the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society holds a historic walk on the grounds of Santa Ana Cemetery and Fairhaven Memorial Park. During the tour, costumed actors portray scenes from personal stories and interesting moments in Orange County history. When plans are confirmed for the 2017 event, more information will be available at the following link:
Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society - 20th Annual Cemetery Tour
NOVEMBER
Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) - Wednesday, November 2, 2017
In honor of Day of the Dead, Anaheim Cemetery will be hosting a special event. Our inaugural event in 2016, featured a youth mariachi band and a youth ballet folklorico dance group, free light refreshments and free marigolds available for cemetery visitors while supplies lasted. We also encourage families to build ofrendas on the gravesites of their loved ones. If you would like to honor a loved one with an ofrenda, but they are not interred at Anaheim Cemetery, ofrendas may be placed in designated areas near the Community Mausoleum. We also extend our flower schedule so that items may be placed on gravesites for an extended period before and after Dia de los Muertos. More information will be available as plans are confirmed by clicking on the following link:
"Anaheim Cemetery - Day of the Dead Event"
Veterans Day Observance - Saturday, November 11, 2017 El Toro Memorial Park will be hosting its 29th Annual Veterans Day Observance at 11:00 a.m. The event features guest speakers, combined color guards, wreath presentations, and an Honor Guard Firing Salute. When planning is complete the link below will have additional information.
"El Toro Memorial Park - Veterans Day Observance"
DECEMBER
Angel Of Hope Candlelight Vigil - Tuesday, December 6, 2017 Located at El Toro Memorial Park, the Angel of Hope monument is a place for grieving parents to gather who have lost a child of any age, for any reason. Every December 6th, families gather at 7:00 pm for a candlelight vigil. The program features special guest speakers, poetic readings, and special music. Perhaps the most anticipated moment of the program comes when families are invited to speak their child's name and place white flowers at the base of the Angel of Hope Statue. Candles are provided for the adults and it is recommended that you bring a flashlight and a lawn chair. For more information, contact Lisa Popper at (714) 658-0797. As more information becomes available, it can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
"El Toro Memorial Park - Angel of Hope Candlelight Vigil"
MAY
Memorial Day Observances - Monday, May 28, 2018 Every Memorial Day each District cemetery holds a Memorial Day program. The program at Santa Ana Cemetery begins at 10:00 am. The programs at El Toro Memorial Park and Anaheim Cemetery both begin at 11:00 am. The events are free and the public is encouraged to attend. Events will take place rain or shine. As these events draw closer, please click on the links below for specific information on each Cemetery's program.
Anaheim Cemetery
El Toro Memorial Park
Santa Ana Cemetery