I have picnicked in a cemetery, had a snack in a graveyard, and even enjoyed breakfast there. But I have never had a BBQ in one before. Last Sunday I had the chance to check this off my bucket list!

On June 23, the St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Group held their 8^th Annual Cemetery BBQ. This unique fundraiser is held in St. John’s Cemetery in Garson, Ontario—rain or shine.

I have often read about interesting and different events happening in cemeteries, but I have always been too far away to attend. I was very excited when I learned this cool event was happening close to home. I first heard about this fun event a few years ago. I had hoped to attend since I read about it, but it never worked out. This year, I was finally able to check out this neat event.

St. John’s Cemetery was established in 1907. The earliest recorded burial is thought to be Gladys O’Brien, dated May 24, 1907.¹ Find a Grave currently lists 3,521 memorials, including one famous grave. St. John’s is the final resting place of professional Hockey player Randy Boyd. Boyd was a defensemen in the NHL for various teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks.² Boyd passed away in 2022, due to a heart attack while out playing golf, just four days before his 60^th birthday.²

ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY VOLUNTEER GROUP

The St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Group was founded in 1993, and for the last three decades has taken great care of the cemetery.³ There are over 20 volunteers in the group and they have completed a multitude of projects to beautify and maintain the cemetery over the years. Their goal is to make the cemetery a welcoming place for those who visit and pay their respects to loved ones.³ Some of their completed projects include rebuilding the cremation gardens and installing benches and greenery.³

The volunteers come from numerous backgrounds and include electricians, mechanics, construction workers, and carpenters.⁴ They use this expertise in every project they complete. In 2023, the City of Greater Sudbury celebrated the volunteer group by awarding them the Civic Award for Volunteerism in recognition of all their good works.⁴

The barbecue has become an annual event and invites the community to visit the cemetery and see for themselves all the work the volunteer group has done. It’s also a great fundraising opportunity. This year, all the proceeds will go to the Sudbury and Garson food banks. 

When we arrived we were greeted by green and gold balloons decorating the cemetery entrance. There was a bustle of activity as the volunteers got ready for the crowds. At the entrance was an information table where you could pick up a cemetery map and make a donation.

On the grill, they served up hamburgers and hot dogs, with a small bag of chips on the side. They also had some beverages available, as well as some cake for dessert. My mother and I got our lunch from the lovely volunteers manning the grill and then headed to the Harold J Foley Cremation Garden to sit and eat our lunch. 

They had a nice set-up under some tents for folks to stay dry while they ate. My friend and her daughter also joined us for the barbecue and ate with us at the table. The long tables encouraged people to sit together and eat, creating community and conversation. 

The conversation mainly focused on the weather though. Unfortunately, the rain would not let up, which led to a chilly and soggy afternoon in the cemetery. But people did not let that stop them. By 1 p.m. there was a long line up at the grill.

After we finished our meal and stopped in at the prize table to buy some tickets, we decided to stroll through the cemetery. We were not the only ones walking the paths that curved through the cemetery grounds. 

I noticed many folks sticking to the paths as they walked the cemetery. I tend to walk directly among the gravestones, so I can get a close look at symbolism or better read inscriptions and epitaphs. It’s also better for taking photos. I was not used to seeing so many people in the cemetery. Normally when taking cemetery photos, I try to avoid getting anyone in the shot, waiting till they move, or trying different angles. There was no avoiding it here, as there were many groups of people exploring the cemetery. 

Shortly after, the cold and wet was making us uncomfortable so we decided to start heading back to the car. There was still a long lineup at the grill, and many folks gathered around chatting. Spirits were high even though the rain was coming down. It would have been a much more enjoyable event if the weather had cooperated, but there was still a great turnout, despite the rain.  

St. John’s Cemetery, Garson, ON ©2024

I really enjoyed the cemetery BBQ and am happy there was a good turnout. It was fun to share a meal among the gravestones with friends and to wander the rows with so many people. It was a lively event, despite its setting. I hope the St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Group is also happy with the turnout, and collected a big sum to donate to charity. 

If I can attend again next year, I will be there! Have you ever had a BBQ in a cemetery before? Or maybe you have been to a different kind of cemetery event? I would love to read about it in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

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References:

1. Garson St Johns Cemetery (Updated 2018) | Ontario Ancestors
2. Randy Boyd | Find a Grave
3. Volunteers host Garson cemetery barbecue June 23 | Sudbury.com
4. St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Improvement Group celebrates 31 years of dedication, prepares for annual BBQ | Sudbury Star