49th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage
Q: Where is the Manzanar Pilgrimage held?
A: The Manzanar Pilgrimage is held at the Manzanar National Historic Site, at the cemetery (northwest corner of the site), approximately 230 miles northeast of Los Angeles, on U.S. Highway 395 (see map below).
Q: What time does the program begin? How long does it run?
A: The program begins at 11:30 AM with a performance by UCLA Kyodo Taiko.The main program begin at noon with speakers (to be announced), an interfaith service, and ondo dancing. The Pilgrimage runs about 2 1/2 hours and usually ends around 2:00 – 2:30 PM.
Q: Is there a fee to attend? Do you have to register?
A: The Manzanar Pilgrimage is free and open to the public. There is no need to register…just show up!
Q: Is bus transportation available?
A: Bus transportation from Downtown Los Angeles and Gardena, California is available, but has been sold out for a few weeks as of April 24.
Q: What is the weather usually like at Manzanar during the Pilgrimage?
A: The weather at Manzanar can be quite unpredictable. We’ve seen temperatures in the high 90’s and in the low 40’s. We’ve also had rain and high winds. As such, Pilgrimage participants are strongly advised to be prepared for ANY kind of weather, as it can change very, very quickly along the slopes of the Eastern Sierra. Winds usually kick up as we go deeper into the afternoon.
Q: What should I bring to the Pilgrimage?
A: Bring a hat, sunscreen and lip balm and USE THEM, even if its cloudy, as ultraviolet light penetrates clouds and is rather intense at higher elevations. Bring your own food/snacks. Although water will be provided, we ask all participants to bring a refillable water bottle that can be filled at refilling stations on site. We advise all participants to DRINK PLENTY OF WATER while you’re there. STAY HYDRATED EVEN IF THE WEATHER IS MILD. The air is much drier at higher elevations
Q: Are flowers provided for the offering during the interfaith service?
A: A very limited number of flowers will be available, but the Manzanar Committee cannot provide flowers for everyone. As such, if you will be participating in the interfaith service, please bring your own flowers.
Q: Can we collect objects found on the site as souvenirs?
A: NO, Please keep in mind that Manzanar National Historic Site is protected land. Collecting anything from the site, no matter if it looks like it was just trash (many such items are actually historic), is prohibited by Federal law. As the saying goes, Take only photographs. Leave only footprints.
2018 Manzanar At Dusk
Q: What is the schedule for Manzanar At Dusk?
A: The program begins at 5:00 PM and runs until 8:00 PM.
Q:Is there an admission charge?
A: No. This event is free and open to the public.
Q:Where is Manzabar At Dusk held?
A: The program will be held in the gymnasium at Lone Pine High School, 538 S. Main Street (U.S. Highway 395), in Lone Pine, approximately nine miles south of the Manzanar National Historic Site, across the street from McDonald’s (see map below).
Q:Who is this program for?
A: EVERYONE! A very diverse group of people of all ages and walks of life have participated in this program throughout its 21-year history, even though is it primarily organized by college students from the Nikkei Student Unions at California State University, Long Beach, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, San Diego, who co-sponsor the event.
For more details…
- UCLA Kyodo Taiko To Perform at the 49th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage
- Wilbur Sato To Receive Manzanar Committee’s 2018 Sue Kunitomi Embrey Legacy Award
- JANM President/CEO Ann Burroughs To Be Keynote Speaker at 49th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage
- 2018 Manzanar At Dusk Will Connect The Past With The Present
LEAD PHOTO: Banners representing all of the American concentration camps in which more than 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated during World War II are shown here during the interfaith service at the 44th Annual Manzanar Pilgrimage in 2013. Photo: Gann Matsuda/Manzanar Committee.
Manzanar National Historic Site via Google Maps
Lone Pine High School via Google Maps
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Manzanar Committee Comment Policies
How far is the cemetery monument from the visitor center? Our school is taking a separate bus of 50 or so students, faculty, staff, and workers to attend on 4/28. Is there transportation from the visitor center to the manzanar at dusk event at the Lone Pine HS?
It’s about one mile from the visitor center to the cemetery. We do not provide transportation from Manzanar to Lone Pine.
Do you have local transportation means to get from the either the Pilgrimage site and/or visitor center to the Lone Pine HS? If not, do you have any recommendations?
You’ll have to make your own arrangements. This is a rural area. There isn’t s bus line, or anything like that.