The Arts Council of historic Bishop Hill invites you to join in the
Lucia Nights celebration on Friday December 10th and Saturday December 11th from 5:30 pm until 9:00pm both evenings. The name Lucia is derived from the Latin word for light. This Swedish tradition is based on a legend of a Sicilian martyr, Saint Lucia, Queen of Light. During a famine in Sweden, on the longest and darkest night of the year, Lucia appeared wearing a long white robe and encircling her head was a crown of candles. Legend has it that Lucia appeared on a ship laden with food. When the ship was unloaded both it and Lucia vanished.
Lucia is a much loved saint in Sweden. Girls today wake their families on December 13th, dressed in a white robe and wearing a crown of candles carrying a tray of Lucia buns.
Activities begin in Bishop Hill on Friday December 10th at 5:30pm with the lighting of the park Christmas tree and holiday singing. At the VASA National Archives there will be a Lucia procession after the tree lighting in the park at 5:45 pm. Coffee and saffron buns will be served.
The Peoria Cooperative Academy Chorale will perform at 6:30 pm at the historic Blacksmith Shop VagnHall Galleri on the 2nd floor and the The Mountain Men will follow there at 7:30 pm.
The Rusty Pickup invites you to an Old Fashioned Barn Dance Saturday, December 11th at the historic Colony School beginning at 7 pm. All dances taught and called by Gail Hintze and Jim Hicks. $5 per person, $15 max. per family. Beginners welcome. No partner necessary. Treats to share are always appreciated.
***Friday night of Lucia Nights only the Bishop Hill Community United Methodist Church will hold their annual Soup and Chili Supper beginning at 4:30 pm.
Each business and museum will be open until 9:00 pm and will have a Lucia girl serving cookies. Around the village, each building will have a single candle in each window. Overnight accommodations are available.
This program is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts
Council, a state agency and the National Endowment for the Arts. Bishop Hill is located 150 soutwest of Chicago and 20 miles east of I-74 in Henry County. For more information please call 1-309-927-3345 or 1-309-927-3885. Visit the web at www.bishophill.com. For more info. call 309-927-3899.