When: Sunday, December 21 (Rain Date, Wednesday December 24).
Pre-Order Supplies: Supplies for Delivery can be ordered through 12/14. To place your order, use the QR code below or go to: https://forms.gle/sExe71MJ1DuuTobT8
The history of luminaria
Throughout the northern hemisphere, around the darkest days of the winter solstice, a number of regions and cultures observe celebrations of light. Lighting of luminaria (or farolitos) originated in the American Southwest as early as 1590 when small bonfires were lit to guide scouts back to their camp. Luminarias became popular on Christmas Eve, lit to symbolically guide the Holy Family on their journey to Bethlehem. With time, these traditions have blended with others all over the world where luminaria are lit to welcome and guide travelers, or to bring communities together. Trinity Park and many Durham neighborhoods enjoy this tradition to light up the long dark night, take strolls and spend time with neighbors and families.
Luminaria (paper lanterns) are placed 6-10’ apart on the edge along the sidewalks and roads the Sunday evening closest to the winter solstice. The lanterns are lit in the early evening and continue to glow into the night. Again this year, the Emerson family is sponsoring the distribution of supplies to fundraise for their daughters’ Girl Scout troops.
Trinity Park and many downtown neighborhoods will celebrate Luminaria this year on Sunday. December 21 (December 24 is the rain date). If you haven’t already ordered supplies, please fill out this form (https://forms.gle/sExe71MJ1DuuTobT8 ). Order on or before 12/14 – the Emersons will deliver your supplies to you.
Each luminaria kit will include a candle, a bag and sand to hold the lantern in place. At the link, there are also instructions for setting up your luminaria.
Consider partnering with your neighbors to ensure a continuous stream of warm light up and down your street! It really is a stunning and special event in Trinity Park and throughout Durham!
This year, the troops will use the funds for enrichment opportunities for all the girls in their troop and help fund their next major community project, their Gold Award. Last year, Hazel and her troop-mates used funds for volunteering and raising awareness around catch neuter and release cat programs and cat colonies in Durham County, and also to support an end to taxes on period supplies, provide access to and education around period supplies. The did a six month long period supply drive collecting thousands of supplies for distribution through the NC Diaper Bank. This year, they’re stepping back from cookie sales to pass the torch to younger girls, while they focus their efforts and limited time as high schoolers on their Gold Awards and volunteering and spending time together with their troops.
Thank you for the opportunity to support the Girl Scouts and Trinity Park in this event, again this year. We look forward to hearing back so we can ramp up candle operations heading into November.
