40^th Annual
Pilgrimage to Manzanar
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Annual Manzanar Reception-Independence Chamber of Commerce
On Friday, April 24, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm the Independence Chamber of Commerce invites you to the Manzanar Pilgrimage Reception to meet and greet old and new supporters of Manzanar at the Eastern California Museum, 155 N. Grant, Independence. The public is invited. Light refreshments will be served, by the Independence Chamber of Commerce. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Eastern California Museum.

Pilgrimage to Manzanar
The annual pilgrimage is sponsored by the Manzanar Committee, a non-profit education group. The annual pilgrimage is held on the last Saturday of April at the Manzanar National Historic Site, in the northwest corner of the former campsite, near the cemetery monument. The entrance for the site is at the Guard House.This year's program will start at 12:00 noon.

"This year those who found the courage to come to Manzanar in 1969 to pay homage, to protest, and who planted the seed for the creation of a national monument will be recognized" according to Bruce Embrey, Committee Co-Chair. The keynote speaker will be Ron Wakabayashi the Regional Director, United States Department of Justice Community Relations Service this year. Mr. Wakabayasi was one of the pioneers who participated in the first organized Manzanar Pilgrimage in 1969. The program will include, UCLA Kyodo Taiko drumming, an interfaith service and Ondo Dancers.
Manzanar Committee Web Site

Manzanar After Dark
The short film "Manzanar Never Again" by Ken Burns will be shown at 5:00 pm in the Lone Pine High School auditorium located at 538 S. Main streen in Lone Pine.

In 1997 the Manzanar After Dark (MAD-ness!) program was created as a way of engaging young people. Its purpose is to supplement the daytime activities of the Manzanar Pilgrimage by providing a program for sharing, educating and learning from intergenerational group discussion, oral histories, forums and cultural performances.

Overnight Lodging
For a list of overnight accommodations available in Independence click here.

Manzanar National Historic Site
The Manzanar National Historic Site is located north of Los Angeles on Highway 395. It is just 6 miles south of Independence, California.
Manzanar Historic Site Web Page

Eastern California Museum
Be sure to visit the Eastern California Museum in Independence where an extensive exhibit on Manzanar is on permanent display.
For More Museum Information

 

We invite you to explore our Independence Chamber of Commerce
Online Visitor Information Center.
For more information from our Visitor Information Center contact our friendly staff.

Make Independence Your Gateway To Discovery!