2014 Christmas Eve Luminaria on Main street. Photo courtesy of Karl Racenis.

Manchester has many annual traditions that make it special: the Chicken Broil, Christmas in the Village, the canoe race on the Raisin River, the Easter Egg Hunt in Carr Park … but arguably the most beautiful is the almost 40-year-old tradition of Christmas Eve luminaries. Once again, at dusk this Christmas Eve, Manchester will turn into a village of lights as the community members line their sidewalks and roadways with luminaria.

Do you need luminaria?

As a community service, the Manchester Lions Club sells luminaria sets at cost to keep this tradition going. Sets include bags, sand and candles and cost $5 for the first set of 10 (which is enough for most homes) and $1.50 for each additional set of 5. Sets can be purchased from the Manchester Area Historical Society’s Kingsley-Jenter House’s garage located at 302 E. Main St. on Thursday, December 21 from 4 to 6 pm, Friday, December 22 from 4 to 6 pm, Saturday, December 23 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Christmas Eve, Sunday, December from 10 am to 4 pm.

For information, or to place an order, call: Barry Allen, 428 -7034. Allen stated, “We are hoping with the renewed interest in the community derived from the successful Sesquicentennial and Christmas in the Village, more people will participate to help bring us back to the days when just about every street and neighborhood was lined with luminaria on Christmas Eve.”

Thanks to Farmers Sand & Gravel, the Manchester Area Historical Society And the Village of Manchester.