Christmas Honors Wreath Laying Ceremony
Families of fallen heroes gather first to place wreaths on their loved ones' headstones, followed by a ceremony at the pavilion. Community volunteers then distribute and place wreaths across all remaining veterans' graves throughout the cemetery. Each wreath is leaned at a sixty-degree angle against the front of the headstone in remembrance of those who served.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Hours
8:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Ages
Children of all ages welcome on event day. Ages 9th grade and up for wreath workshop and pickup days due to safety.
Neighborhood
Downtown Fort Smith
Parking
Parking is available at the Fort Smith Convention Center or the Bakery District across from the Fort Smith National Cemetery. People who are physically able to walk are asked to park across the street and walk to the cemetery; people with a handicapped parking pass or accompanying an elderly or disabled person unable to walk may park in the cemetery.
Accessibility
Designated parking inside the cemetery is reserved for visitors with a handicap parking permit or those accompanied by elderly or disabled individuals unable to walk.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Those able to walk should park at the Fort Smith Convention Center or Bakery District across the street; cemetery parking space is very limited.
- Leave the 8:00–10:30 a.m. family period for loved ones, and wait until the 11:00 a.m. pavilion ceremony ends before laying public wreaths.
- Place one wreath per veteran headstone, leaning it at 60 degrees against the front; add one on a spouse's side only if they also served.
- Individual volunteers do not need to sign up, but school, company, and organization groups and truck-and-trailer providers should register online.
- The event takes place rain or shine; dress for the forecast, and if arriving early, lay wreaths only on your own family's headstones.
Special Events & Promotions
- Family members have a designated period before the ceremony to lay wreaths on their loved ones’ headstones.
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are children welcome at the wreath-laying event?
Yes. Children of all ages are welcome on event day.
Do volunteers need to sign up before participating?
No sign-up is required for wreath-laying day. Groups from schools, organizations or companies, and people providing a truck and trailer, are asked to complete the relevant online form.
How does the wreath-laying ceremony work?
Families have time to place wreaths on their loved ones’ headstones before the pavilion ceremony. After the ceremony, attendees can distribute wreaths to the remaining veterans’ graves; place one wreath per headstone.
Can I bring my own wreath?
Yes. You may use your own wreath instead of a Christmas Honors wreath. Lean it at a 60-degree angle against the front of the headstone, and place wreaths on both sides only if both people served.
Does the event go ahead in bad weather?
Yes. Christmas Honors events take place rain or shine on their published dates.
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