When is the vigil?
-It is on the Saturday before Shannon's birthday, September 26th, each year. It is all day long but the majority of people are there in the evening. The candles on the grave usually get lit around 7 p.m. The cemetary is open 24 hours a day so people can stay as long as they want. If his birthday is on a Friday, it will be on Friday. Also some people do start to show up the night before before each vigil and sometimes people come back one last time on the day after as well.
Where is it?
-It's at his grave in the Dayton cemetary in Dayton, Indiana. For directions click HERE. It is a very small town with only one cemetary in it. It has one main road going through it which is 38. You can't miss the cemetary if you're on that road.
How would I get there?
-Take a roadtrip, take a greyhound bus or fly.
Where is the closest airport?
-The Indianapolis Airport is the closest as it is just one hour south of Dayton. Take 465 North from the airport then 65 North to Exit 168. Click HERE for a map of the area around the airport.
Where would I stay at?
-There are plenty of hotels in the closest city to Dayton which is Lafayette. Click HERE for a listing and directions. You should try to make reservations as early as possible as hotels could be full if there is a Purdue University home football game that weekend.
How would I get from the aiport to Dayton?
-You could rent a car from the Indianapolis aiport if you are over 21 or you could take the Lafayette Limo shuttle bus which leaves every two hours and brings people from the Indianapolis airport to Lafayette and back. Click HERE for their website. It lets people off at the hotels in Lafayette. There are taxi's available in Lafayette that could take you to the Dayton cemetary or you could arrange to get a ride with some other Melonheads that are heading that way.
Do Lisa and Nico come to the vigils?
-No, they have never been to one before. A lot of Shannon's family come though including his mom, grandmother (Vernie), sister, neices and nephews. Many other people that knew him come but most people there didn't know Shannon personally.
Do the band members ever come?
-No, they haven't yet
About how many people go?
-Usually over 100 people come. There is a guestbook that goes around and in the year 2000 approximately 150 people were on it and many others might not have taken the time to sign it so there was possibly 200 people that came and went that year.
What do you do at the vigil?
-Usually Shannon's mom decorates the grave with pictures of him. Many people bring flowers and candles to put around the grave and sometimes unique gifts such as artwork. It's a chance for all the fans to hang out and listen to bootlegs, stories and poems. Probably the only place you'll meet a large number of melonheads in one place.
What should I bring with me?
-Bring something to sit on, chairs or a blanket. Bring some warm clothes, a camera, some munchies, candles or whatever else you want to decorate the grave with.
If I am unable to come to the vigil, could I send something to a person going to take for me?
-Yes, send an Email and something can be arranged.
