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The 11th Annual New York State Trail of Truth will take place:
Saturday, August 22, 2026
12:00–7:00 PM
92 Court Street, Binghamton, NY
Join us for an afternoon of remembrance, healing, art, and community. The Memorial Cemetery will be open throughout the event, alongside resource tables, free Narcan training, tombstone painting, memorial art activities, a grief share circle, food vendors, and more.
From 5:00–6:00 PM, we will gather for speakers and performers sharing their experiences and perspectives on the past, present, and future of the substance use crisis.
Thank you to the New York State Department of Public Health and all of our community partners for helping us continue this important tradition.
Come honor with us. Remember with us. Create change with us.
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12:00PM - 6:00PM
MEMORIAL CEMETERY OPEN
The Memorial Cemetery is filled with tombstones hand painted by activists, families, and directly impacted community members for loved ones lost to substance use related causes. For many families, this is the only memorialization space they have for their loved ones. We believe it is a sacred space. You will see families spending time at their loved one’s tombstone, children getting pictures taken next to their parent’s tombstone, and mementos of love, much like you would see in a real cemetery. Take a moment to walk through the cemetery, read the names, and understand the impact of the crisis. Pictures are welcomed.
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12:00PM - 4:45PM
HEALING ACTIVITIES
Resource Tables
Free Narcan Training
Tombstone Painting
Memorial Art Activities for Families
Grief Share Circle
Food Vendors
T-Shirt & Book Sales
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5:00PM - 6:00PM
SPEAKERS AND PERFORMERS
Hear from experts, advocates, and people with lived experience on the past, present, and future of the epidemic of substance use related deaths. Each year we create a program that is thoughtful and healing for grief stricken families, while inspiring and supportive for those on a recovery journey. We strive to honor those we have lost, celebrate those who are still alive and support our community to thrive despite our collective struggles.
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6:00PM - 7:00PM
MEMORIAL MARCH TO
GOVERNMENTAL PLAZA
March with us to the governmental plaza, where we place our memorial tombstones along the sidewalk of the courthouse. Family members can lay in front of the stones to be outlined in chalk. Then families and friends can write loving messages inside the outline. The chalk lines and messages last for a few weeks, leaving behind a powerful memorial and reminder where elected officials walk by and view them daily. We come here together and leave this memorial display behind to compel change.
| | A MOVEMENT ACROSS THE MAP | | Trail of Truth Partner Events Across the Country | | The Trail of Truth continues beyond Binghamton. Communities across the country are coming together to honor those lost and stand in solidarity with one another. | |
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August 22 — Lakeport, California
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Library Park
200 Park St. Lakeport, CA 95453
RSVP Here!
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August 29 — New Albany, Indiana
10:30 AM–4:00 PM
Falls City Kitchen
826 W. Main St., New Albany, IN 47150
View Full Sized Flyer
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August 30 — Bowie, Maryland
Bryce's Treehouse IOAD
2PM - 5PM
Kenhill Center
Bowie, MD 20715
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August 31 — Des Moines, Iowa
6:30 PM-9:30 PM
West Terrace Steps
Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319
View Full Sized Flyer
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August 31 — Franklin, North Carolina
13th Annual Night of Hope
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Macon County Recreation Park
365 Allman Dr, Franklin NC 28734
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September 13 — Appleton, Wisconsin
Lights of Hope
12:30 PM–3:30 PM
1035 W. Prospect Ave.,
Appleton, WI 54914
RSVP Here!
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September 13 — Appleton, Wisconsin
12:30 PM–8:30 PM
1001 Waterfront Dr SE, Knoxville, TN 37920
RSVP Here!
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September 26 — San Diego, California
10:00 AM-3:00 PM
1380 Harbor Island Dr., San Diego,
CA 92101
View Full Sized Flyer
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October 24 — New Albany, Indiana
3:00 PM–8:00 PM
727 Rolling Creek Dr., New Albany,
IN 47150
View Full Sized Flyer
| | | | Find the full list of partner events near you on our calendar! | | |
Together, these events represent a growing national movement of communities coming together to remember, honor, and create change.
Thank you to our sponsors, partners, organizers, volunteers, and everyone who continues to walk this trail with us.
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