For 44 years, the Irvington neighborhood has come alive with luminaria on the Sunday before Christmas. This year, the Winter Luminaria will be held Dec. 20 from 6-10 p.m. and all Irvingtonians and Irvington-adjacent neighborhoods are encouraged to participate!
Sand will be delivered to Ellenberger Park by the pool, the Luminaria kits are on the shelves at select locations, and everyone is ready to take part in this peaceful tradition. While the traditional Santa on Irving Circle may not be there in person this year, the spirit of the season will be alive and well, thanks to the many volunteers that have made this year’s luminaria possible.
Buy your luminaria kits at Ace Central (10th and Arlington), Bonna Shops (Bonna and Audubon), Hampton Design (East Washington and Johnson), Magic Candle (Audubon and Bonna), and Deering Cleaners (10th and Arlington). The cost is only $2 for 5, 10 for $4, or 20 for $6. All proceeds go to support the 2021 Luminaria.
Organizers are looking for helpers to light the candles around Ellenberger Park and Pleasant Run Parkway this year. Contact them on their Facebook page, Irvington Winter Luminaria, and let them know you are available from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for set-up.
The story of the beginning of the Winter Luminaria in Irvington is almost legend. 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.
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 yet again this year, providing beauty and hope in the darkness.
