Leesburg Luminaria celebration Dec. 10
Courtesy of Nellda Friend
LEESBURG – The annual Leesburg Luminaria will once again take place Sunday evening, Dec. 10.
Take heed all young men and women in the Friendly Village of Leesburg. Perhaps your essay about the meaningful Leesburg Luminaria was selected, and you were a member of the royal court when you were a sixth-grader. Perhaps it was YOU who was escorted around the village and read your essay at the church service. You might consider that YOU and your acquaintances could be the future members of the Lions Club who sponsor this event.
And why?
The Lions Club International focuses on helping secure sight to people all over the world. Previously used glasses are collected and sent to those who would not otherwise have them. How appropriate to celebrate “sight” with the lighting of candles and enjoying the open houses as friends browse the Friendly Village.
“What a novel idea,” was the thought of Lions Chester Newlan and Richard Kisamore back in 1989. “And church services alternating in the different churches could culminate the evening with the royalty reading their essays.”
More and more downtown businesses opened on Luminaria night. Visitors toured the lighted streets and enjoyed refreshments at the open houses. Tractor and wagon rides were added. Memories can be told of a teen with a broken leg who found a crutch just good enough that he would not have to miss Luminaria.
Thanks to just a few remaining Lion members, the event is under way again this year! Following is the information. And please remember, the Leesburg Lions Club needs “young” leaders – maybe YOU. Contact Jay Newland (937-661-5984).
• Candle kits ($7) are available at Saucy Sisters Pizza. Kim Pavey has been helping with the candle sale.
• Residences and businesses will light their candles in the bags, and open houses will run 5:30 to 7:00.
• Winners of the essay contest will be crowned as Luminaria Royalty at 5:45 in the library.
• Santa arrives at 5:30 at the Firehouse on South Street (note: this is a new location.)
• Wagon rides will begin and end at the lot in Leesburg adjacent to the Southern Hills Bank.
• 7:30 p.m. – The Leesburg Church of Christ will host the evening’s service with the king, queen, prince and princess reading their Luminaria essays.
Students are already “LIONS” from Fairfield School. Keep up the good work. Now, as adults, consider becoming a “LION” and take on leadership for projects to benefit Leesburg – and the world.
And don’t miss this year’s Luminaria.