Luminaria light the way

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 the community members light their luminaria on Christmas Eve.

This annual celebration is headed up by the Manchester Lions Club, which has organized the holiday tradition since taking over the project from the Manchester Area Historical Society in 2008. The tradition began in Manchester in 1979 by Karen Hinkley, who envisioned the streets of the village lined with candles to “light the way for the Christ Child.” The luminaria tradition originated in Mexico, and is also popular in the southwestern United States.

At dusk on Saturday night, December 24th, the residents of Manchester will place their luminaria along their walkways as a symbol of holiday peace.

The luminaria is a beautiful presentation along the streets of Manchester, in keeping with the Lions’ mission to prevent blindness and preserve sight. In 1925, Helen Keller charged the Lions to become “knights for the blind in the crusade against darkness,” so lighting luminaria on Christmas Eve is a fitting tribute. What better way to demonstrate the gift of sight?

This year, the Lions will provide drive-through service from the garage of the Manchester Area Historical Society building, the Kingsley-Jenter House, on the corner of Main Street and M-52.  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. Sales will begin tonight through Friday from 4 to 6 pm, and on Christmas Eve from 10 am to 4 pm.

Lions Club member Barry Allen said the price has remained the same for more than 10 years. “The luminaria project is a public service to the community, not a fund-raiser, so we’ve kept the price as low as possible so everyone can participate.”

Allen added that in 2008, luminaria sales were at an all-time low when the Lions took over the project–partly due to waning interest and also from several years of inclement weather on Christmas Eve.  

“We’ve rejuvenated the program and are trying to get more families to participate,” he said. “That’s why we’ve kept the cost low. Many of Manchester’s legacy traditions–the Chicken Broil, the Fair and the Luminaria–could be in danger without the support of the residents. You have to ask what you would do without them, and realize it’s a possibility they could be gone. Support these long-time traditions to have them 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 helping to make this event possible.

Luminaria along a curving road.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.