SOMERSET, Calif. —
Residents across El Dorado County are preparing to roll up their sleeves this Memorial Day for a long-standing tradition rooted in remembrance and community pride.
The 33rd Annual Fair Play Cemetery Clean-Up will take place Monday, May 25, from 8 a.m. to noon at the historic Fairplay Cemetery, located at 7950 Perry Creek Road in Somerset. Volunteers will gather to clear debris, tend gravesites and prepare the one-acre cemetery for Memorial Day visitors.
Organizers say the event is both a tribute to veterans and a broader effort to honor the generations who helped shape the rural foothill community.
“This is about more than maintenance,”
said event organizer Lance Miller.
“It’s about—respect—for the people who built this place and ensuring their stories aren’t forgotten.”
Tools, equipment, drinks and snacks will be provided. Community members interested in participating are encouraged to contact organizers in advance, though walk-ups are typically welcome.
A Cemetery Steeped in Gold Rush History
The Fairplay Cemetery is one of the oldest continuously used burial grounds in El Dorado County, with origins tracing back to the early 1850s, when Fair Play emerged as a bustling Gold Rush mining town. The earliest remaining grave marker dates to 1863, though historians believe earlier, unmarked burials exist.
A 2001 ground-penetrating radar survey identified as many as 397 possible burial sites, yet only 189 are marked—underscoring the importance of ongoing preservation efforts.
The cemetery reflects the region’s evolution—from a rough mining camp to a trading hub and eventually to the agricultural and wine-producing area known today as the Fair Play American Viticultural Area (AVA).
Among those buried at the site are early pioneer families, miners, and notable figures such as former Major League Baseball player Dick Stuart, whose grave draws occasional visitors from outside the region.
From Boomtown to Vineyard Country
Fair Play earned its name in 1853 after miners intervened in a dispute between early settlers, urging them to “play fair.” By 1860, the town supported hotels, shops and a post office, before a devastating fire in 1856 destroyed much of its commercial core.
As mining declined, the region transitioned into agriculture. Today, the surrounding hills are home to vineyards producing varietals such as Zinfandel, Syrah and Barbera—making the cemetery a quiet landmark amid a thriving wine region.
Despite these changes, the cemetery remains active, continuing to serve local families more than 150 years after its founding.
Community Effort Keeps History Alive
Local officials note that small, volunteer-driven events like the annual clean-up play a critical role in preserving historic sites that might otherwise fall into disrepair.
The Fair Play Cemetery is one of 18 cemeteries managed by El Dorado County, but its upkeep relies heavily on community involvement.
Organizers emphasize that participation requires no special skills—just a willingness to contribute.
“Every headstone cleaned, every branch cleared—it all matters,”
Miller said.
“It’s how we keep this place alive for the next generation.”
Event Details
- When: Monday, May 25, 8 a.m. to noon
- Where: Fairplay Cemetery, 7950 Perry Creek Road, Somerset
- Contact: Lance Miller (530-647-6973) or Cammy Morreale (818-681-8552)
