Illumination remembers the fallen at Antietam National Battlefield

Staff Report
·1 min read

The 2021 Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield is planned to start at 6 p.m. Saturday at the park near Sharpsburg.

The illumination honors the 23,000 casualties from the Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862. Volunteers work with the National Park Service to prepare the sand-filled paper bags and light the votive candles.

Luminarias burn as darkness falls on the Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg during the 2018 event. The 2021 illumination is to start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.
Luminarias burn as darkness falls on the Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg during the 2018 event. The 2021 illumination is to start at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

A look back: 26th Annual Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield

Vehicles should enter the park by driving west on Md. 34 and lining up on the shoulder of the road. Walking is not permitted. Vehicles are allowed into the park until midnight.

The northern end of the park, north of Md. 34, will close at 3 p.m. The temporary visitor center will be closed that day except for the park store, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the park's website. Visitor services during the day will be limited and only portable toilets will be available.

For more information, go to www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Antietam Memorial Illumination set for Saturday