The sand has been delivered at Ellenberger Park by the pool, the Luminaria kits are on the shelves, and the Historic Irvington neighborhood is getting ready to celebrate 43 years of Winter Luminaria, the Festival of Lights on December 22 from 6-10 p.m. Residents and non-Irvingtonians are welcome to come see the lights of thousands of candles in bags weighted by sand lining sidewalks and along Ellenberger Park and other public areas. Be sure to stop by Irving Circle on the south part for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus a cup of hot cocoa and cookies, thanks to the Friends of Irving Circle. Krampus will be on the north east quadrant. (Krampus is a horned half-goat, half-demon who, in Central European folklore, punishes misbehaving children.)
New residents to Irvington are encouraged to participate in this long-standing tradition that is an exercise in community spirit and neighborliness.
Like so many Irvington traditions, the Luminaria came about as a result of a couple of hardy souls with an idea. In 1976, the late Rose Mary Clarke (Chair of the Community Council) and Lawrence W. Tindall (Vice Chair) developed the idea of lighting candles at Christmas. They knew of the Hispanic tradition to light the way of the Christ child, but presented the idea to the council as a community event, a time to slow down and enjoy home and the bond of community. The council approved the idea. They found that Cash & Carry sold both bags and candles and began with 6 inch plumber’s candles which burned for 24 hours and #6 white bakery bags.
Sand was dumped in the Irvington Presbyterian lot. Kathy Tindall has a memory of Rose Mary Clarke and Patty Hawkins standing near the sand pile with a tea cup trying to determine how much sand to put in the bags. They were later quoted as choosing 4 cups.
The type of candle was later changed from the 24 hour burning plumber’s candle to a 10 hour burning votive candle. This caused some confusion. Several people hesitated to accept their orders and questioned whether the candles were “the regulation candles.”
People asked where to place the candles. The reply was on each crack in the sidewalk — about every 3 feet, or in more open spaces every 5 feet.
The first year they distributed about 3,500 candles. They were concentrated in the area near Ritter and Washington Street. Most were sold from the Tindall’s home. There were many interrupted meals as bags and candles were sold from their home. The council passed out fliers door to door and most of the religious organizations participated. They also involved clubs and other groups to help do the public properties.
The Luminaria provided some educational opportunities too. It is how the Tindall children learned to count — dividing out the 2,000 sacks into groups of 10 and counting out candles to match. This story is confirmed by both the Tindall children and grandchildren.
Now, you can buy kits from several local retailers (proceeds go to support next year’s Luminaria), and the sand is now at Ellenberger Park near the swimming pool. The Tindall family no longer sells the bags out of their home, but the Tindalls are still involved as tireless promoters of the spirit of Luminaria, or the Festival of Lights.
Over the years, others have used baby food jars and other nonflammable containers for the candles, and some have started using battery operated votive lights to further eliminate the potential for mini-fires along the sidewalks. Unless there are gale force winds, a blizzard or downpour, the Winter Luminaria will light up the streets of Irvington.
