The eighth annual Winter Solstice Parade of Lights took place on Dec. 21 in Glencoe at Shelton Park marking the longest day of darkness and the anticipation of longer days to come.
Sunset on Dec. 21 was at 4:22 p.m.
People gathered at 5 p.m. at Shelton Park on Thursday night where they could access Green Bay Trail for a festive, free walk and parade among neighbors. There were cookies and opportunities to make s’mores on open fires. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Green Bay Trail (FGBT) and the Glencoe Park District.
People decorated strollers and wagons with lights and bright accessories. Many wore festive holiday light bulb battery powered necklaces. Pets were included in the festivity.
“We’re building community, honoring traditions, sharing winter, sharing solstice, light and dark,” said Lynn Donaldson of Evanston, formerly of Glencoe for about 25 years and also a FGBT board member. “This is very ancient, which appeals to me.”
The evening began with a traditional dance performance. The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is an ancient procession and dance originally performed in the Village of Abbots Bromley in England to ensure that hunters would have a bountiful season.
“It’s like hundreds and hundreds of years that people in England have been doing this,” Donaldson added about the dance. “This is a wonderful tradition of an ancient tradition.
“In winter, when in fact the trail is hibernating and the flowers are hibernating and the animals aren’t to be seen, it’s wonderful to have a way to be here at the trail in nature honoring the solstice,” Donaldson said, adding that it, “feels good.”
Dorr St. Clair of Glencoe, also a FGBT trustee, said, “We’re outside, it’s getting people out of the house and socializing and enjoying the solstice and learning about history.”
Ashley Conrad of Glencoe attended with children Elise, 6, a first grader, Ian, 4, and Kate, 2. The children’s grandparents were in town from Texas. The Conrad family pup Lucy, a female basset hound, 11, was given colorful light bulb headwear to don for festivity.
“We’ve come every year, it’s a tradition,” Ashley Conrad said of the light parade. “The kids love it, they love all the new lights I give them every year.
“We love that this brings a little light to the longest night of the year,” Conrad added. “And we just wish that everyone has light and hope and peace and kindness for the next season to come.”
People walked along the trail to the south where a lighted arch was set up for attendees to sing songs about sunshine and the promise of light. An example of one song was, “Here Comes The Sun,” renowned by The Beatles.
Kate Gallagher of Glencoe and Katalin Demeter, also of Glencoe, were among participants singing by the illuminated arch.
“I think it’s fun,” Gallagher said. “I think it’s fun that everybody’s getting together.”
Demeter said, “How important is light? It’s very important. I mean, without that, nothing survives.”
Deepali Agarwal of Glencoe and son Neil, 8, a second grader, spent time after the light parade around the open fires. Neil had hot chocolate and s’mores.
“This is so nice and we love to be here,” Neil’s mother said. “I love all the festivities and walking on the trail.”
Becky Maganuco of Glencoe, FGBT board member, staffed the treat table and wore several strings of lighted colorful accessories.
“We had probably the most people we’ve had in the years that we’ve been doing this,” Maganuco said, pleased with the Dec. 21 attendance. “It was great to see everybody come out.”
Visit www.gbtrail.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
