Illuminating the winter solstice in Warwick

Warwick — Thousands of luminaries will make their debut this holiday season throughout many areas in the Village of Warwick on Dec. 22 - the longest night of the year. Winter Lights is the latest project of Warwick in Bloom, the all-volunteer community beautification effort that won a national award for the Village of Warwick. The organization will provide luminary kits for all businesses located in the Village of Warwick along with any nearby residential neighborhoods that are interested. To make a visual impact, a neighborhood should have at least 10 homes on a street willing to participate. The kits contain bags, sand, and votive candles (three kits/home and six kits/business) and are available free of charge. Warwick in Bloom asks that all luminaries be lit at precisely 6 p.m. on Dec. 22, to light up the longest night of the year, the winter solstice. The tradition of displaying luminaries along sidewalks and other paths leading to one’s home or business has its roots in Mexico and the southwestern U.S. regions of North America. “This event has the potential to be lots of fun and be beautiful too,” said committee member Deborah Sweeton. “We will be preparing 1,000 kits, but we have the ability to provide more if needed,” added Marge King, also a committee member. Business owners and residents should contact Marge at 987-7297 or Deborah 986-6808 to place their orders for kits.