Lucia Nights @ Bishop Hill State Historic Site
December 11-12, 2015 |
Each winter, the people of Bishop Hill brighten the cold nights with a festival. They light candles, share food, play music and enjoy the company of friends and family in a celebration known as Lucia Nights.
Anyone is welcome to join the free festival, which runs 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 12 amid the historic buildings of the former religious colony founded by Swedish immigrants.
This Swedish tradition is based on the legend of a Sicilian martyr, Saint Lucia, Queen of Light. Legend has it that during a famine in Sweden, on the longest and darkest day of the year, Saint Lucia appeared wearing a white robe and a crown of candles. She came on a ship loaded with food, which mysteriously disappeared when the food was unloaded.
Beginning at 6 p.m. both days, Bishop Hill museums and businesses will have a Lucia girl serving cookies. Around the village, buildings will have a single candle in each window, and sidewalks will be lined with luminaries.
A lighting ceremony for the community Christmas tree will be held in the park on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to bring edible ornaments to hang on the tree.
The Swedish holiday traditions continue on Christmas morning with “Julotta,” a nondenominational service at Bishop Hill’s historic Colony Church. The service, in both Swedish and English, begins at 6 a.m. Coffee and rusks, a Swedish pastry similar to biscotti, will be available afterward.
The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency operates the Bishop Hill State Historic Site. Many of the holiday activities there are co-sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Bishop Hill is located 150 southwest of Chicago and 20 miles east of I-74 in Henry County. For more information call (309) 927-3345 or (309) 927-3899, or visit www.bishophill.com.
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Website:
www.bishophill.com |
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| Location Information |
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Bishop Hill State Historic Site |
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Bishop Hill, IL 61419 |
| Website:
www.bishophill.com |
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| Contact Information |
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Martha Downey |
| Email:
bishophill@mymctc.net |
| Phone:
309-927-3345 |
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