Showmen's Rest Monument

Lakewood Cemetery

Minneapolis, MN

Midwest Showmen's Rest Memorial

Service

Memorial Day, May 31, 2011

Starting at 10:00 am

Showmen's Rest is located one block south of the Main Chapel

  This beautiful resting place was selected in 1963 by the Midwest Showmen's Association for their Memorial Plot where they have chosen and initial site of fifty graves with an option sixty more locations.  Nestling in the curve of two roadways the organization has ultimately mark the spot with a fine monument appropriately signed to commemorate those who will lie there.

    The Lakewood Cemetery itself is one of the finest in the entire Midwest area.  The permanent care fund of Lakewood is in excess of five million dollars.  The breath takingly chapel is free for the use of the Midwest Showmen's at any time.  The interior of this building is completely done in mosaic work of which took imported workers from Italy three years to consummate.

    Under the guidance from past President, William T. Collins  the Midwest Showmen's Association is proud to have accomplished this valuable asset of the organization.

    The poem below was written by Glanville Smith of the Cold Springs Granite Company.

It is inscribed on the monument which overlooks our Showmen's Rest plot at Lakewood Cemetery.

    In 1964 William T. Collins presented the Midwest Showmen's Association membership with a paided up receipt for Showmen's Rest.

                           No ferris wheel with circling lights

                                  Glitters across the quiet nights.

                                  Bird music has replaced the sound

                                  Of barker's calls and merry-go-rounds.

                                  Tent canvas folded, stored away

                                  Steeps in no sun for us, this day.

                                  Visitors at Life's carnival

                                  Did we bring something to you all?

                                  After drudging at mill or desk

                                  Did you find us picturesque?

                                  Did you enjoy a thrill, a laugh

                                  Then let this be our epitaph,

                                  We showmen with our lags unfurled

                                  Toiled to bring brightness to this world.

                                  Though grace and mercy are a need

                                  For us, as for all of Adam's breed.

                                  Hopefully now, with freshened eyes

                                  We wait God's show of Paradise.

Click on picture below to enlarge