Luminarias to Return on Christmas Eve
2014 Christmas Eve Luminaria on Main street. Photo courtesy of Karl Racenis.
Each year since the late 1970s Manchester has turned into a village of lights as residents of the community light their luminaria at sunset on Christmas Eve. At dusk, on Thursday, Dec. 24, residents will place their luminaria along their walkways as a symbol of holiday peace.
This year, the Lions will be selling luminaria kits with drive-through service from the garage of the newly acquired Manchester Area Historical Society building, the Kingsley-Jenter House at 302 East Main Street (formerly the funeral home). Luminaria kits consist of a tea candle that sits in a cup of sand in a white bag. A set of ten candles, sand, and bags costs only $5, with additional sets of five for $1.50. Most homes can use the 10 set kit. Lions Club member Barry Allen said, in discussing the price with Carl Curtis, the price has remained the same for more than ten years. “The luminaria project is a public service to the community, so we’ve kept the price as low as possible so everyone can participate.”
Sales will begin Christmas week, Monday to Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm, and finally on Christmas Eve from NOON to 3 pm.
The Manchester Lions Club has organized the holiday tradition since 2008. The celebration has been hosted by numerous organizations over the past four decades; most recently it was run out of the Blacksmith Shop by the Manchester Area Historical Society under the direction of Carl Curtis, until it was passed to the Manchester Lions Club. The luminaria is a beautiful presentation along the streets of Manchester, which fits nicely with the Lions’ mission of prevention of blindness and preservation of sight. It is a lovely way to utilize the gift of sight.
In 2008 luminaria sales were at an all-time low when the Lions took over the project, down from almost 5,000 to less than half of that, partly due to waning interest and also from inclement weather on Christmas Eve. The Lions have rejuvenated the program and are trying to get more families to participate, which is why they’ve kept the cost so low. Many of the legacy traditions of Manchester–including the Chicken Broil, the Community Fair and the Luminaria–are in danger without the support of the residents. Ask yourself what you would do without them, and realize it’s a possibility they could be gone. It’s up to you to support these long time traditions so that they will be here for our children to enjoy in the future.
The Manchester Lions Club sincerely thanks Farmers Sand & Gravel, the Manchester Area Historical Society, and the Village of Manchester for making this event possible.
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