While most of America honors their dead on Memorial Day with flowers, wreaths, and special services, there is a distinctive tradition that has endured for generations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Beginning in June of every year and lasting through October, mountain cemeteries come alive with color as “decoration day” takes place at church and family burying grounds across the Mitchell County mountains. No one can pinpoint the exact date when this unique event began, some suggest during the period going back to the Civil War, but today the dates for “the decoration” are red letter and sacred days, when the “kith and kin” of those who are buried in the hallowed graves are remembered and celebrated with flowers, especially grown in family gardens, especially for this revered day. Fresh flowers were used in earlier times and are considered the best. Homemade crepe paper flowers were later used, and now artificial flowers are mainly used for decorating. Flowers can be placed on graves in any number of ways, including creating attractive patterns.
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