PALISADES LUMINARY NIGHT:
CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF OUR COMMUNITY

At 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 19, Palisades residents will simultaneously disperse the dark of winter and welcome the upcoming solstice by lighting luminary lanterns along their front walkways. (Rain, snow or wind date is Monday at 6:30).
This will begin the first annual Palisades Luminary Night, an opportunity for bundling up with family and friends, walking along streets aglow with warm light, visiting with neighbors and celebrating the spirit of our community.
“The effect of the evening will be beautiful. What could be prettier than luminary lanterns lighting the entrances of hundreds of Palisades homes and, the result will be wonderful, because it will raise money for vital projects within our community,” stated PCA President and Luminary Night Co-Chair Cary Ridder.
The event, sponsored by the Palisades Community Fund (PCF), will indeed serve as both a community builder and fund-raiser.
Residents can purchase luminary lantern supplies (craft bags, votive candles and sand) at 5757 Sherier Place on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost will be $10 for a set of 12 luminaries.
All profits from the sale of these supplies will go to the PCF to finance other community projects.
“The response to this idea has been very positive,” said Luminary Night Co-Chair Anni Ince-McKillop. “We’ve received donations of craft bags for the event from Giant Food, and sand from Acadia Contractors. Safeway is making the candles available to us at a greatly discounted price. Residents love the idea that something so lovely will also serve the neighborhood. They see it as a great occasion for neighborhood gatherings such as block parties, open houses and other festivities.”
The organizers of Luminary Night view this year’s event as a pilot project and are committed to a small-scale, concentrated approach. Their hope is to get 100% participation within specific areas of the neighborhood, which will allow residents to see how pretty the event can be and will build enthusiasm for a larger effort next year.
“Currently it looks like much of the participation this year will be on the west side of MacArthur Boulevard. We hope that all Palisades residents will take the opportunity to drive or walk through this part of the neighborhood, and the other areas that participate, to enjoy the beauty of the evening and gain inspiration for next year. Eventually we’d love to see the entire Palisades aglow!” says Cary Ridder.
“The key to this event is volunteers,” says Ince-McKillop.
If you are interested in helping to make Luminary Night a success-writing, illustrating or distributing flyers or taking a sales shift-please call Anni Ince-McKillop at 966-6995 by December 5.