Join the two-part harmony during the downtown Solstice Soiree where you can make a lantern at the Farmers' Market Saturday afternoon. The lanterns will be used to light up the longest winter's night and celebrate the Solistice Soiree Wednesday Dec. 21 from 4 to 9 p.m. inside the market and outside at the courthouse plaza.
Drop in at the Farmers' Market annex at 1119 Third Avenue between 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday to create a unique lantern using balloons, popsicle sticks or wire frame methods.
People are encouraged to bring their own materials to add to their lantern.
Some suggestions include fern fronds, leaves, stickers and special paper.
The cost is $2.50 per person or $5 per family to help offset the cost of materials.
The second stage is set to help celebrate the longest winter night Wednesday, Dec. 21 where the community is invited to bring their lanterns and enjoy family entertainment and winter outdoor activities.
Some downtown merchants will stay open late for the event while a special Farmers' Market will be held.
"A lot of people work downtown during the day and won't return to enjoy the Farmers' Market on Saturday so this is a great way to bring people to the market on a different day," said organizer Jovanka Djordjevich of the midweek solstice event.
"As a winter community we should be celebrating the coming of winter and the longest night of the year and the first day of winter that happens next day."
From 6 to 8 p.m. the courthouse plaza glows with the light from handmade lanterns while local entertainers add to the festive nature of the event.
A light-hearted look at winter fashions will take place outdoors on the courthouse steps. Models sporting fashions from local shops will be gliding, slipping and boarding down the runway, showing off some of the stylish ways to celebrate and embrace winter this year.
