Light in the Darkness
5:00PM – 8:00 PM at Astoria Nordic Heritage Park
Friday, December 15th, 2023
Stormy Weather Alternate Date: Wednesday, December 20th.
Change in Dates will be Announced on Facebook and the Park Website
Brief Program at 6:00 PM
Light in the Darkness is a new event sponsored by the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association to remember those who have passed but are still in our memories at Christmas time. It’s also a fundraiser for Astoria Nordic Heritage Park and an opportunity to experience the park and community at nighttime. Light in the Darkness will be held from 5:00PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, December 15, with a brief ceremony at 6:00 PM. In case of severe weather, the event will be moved to 5:00PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 20. If necessary, the change of date will be announced on the park’s Facebook page and website.
Fifty memorial candles donated by Finn Ware will be lit in honor of those who are missing this Christmas season. Their names will be read during a brief ceremony of music, poetry, and song. Lloyd Bowler will be emcee. Loran Mathews will explain the significance of the candles, and Sirpa Duoos and Malachi Cummings will read poems. Bowler, Mathews, and Duoos will read the memorial names. Leila Collier will sing “En etsi valtaa loistoa,”a Christmas song by Jean Sibelius. Seating is sparse at the park so participants are encouraged to bring a chair if they need one. The candles will stay lit for three hours so people can stroll, take photos, and experience the special lights enhancing the atmosphere of the Nordic Park at night. VASA Swedish Lodge and Friends of Suomi Hall will supply coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and cookies. There will be seasonal Christmas music.
To have your loved one’s name be part of this ceremony and to assist the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association with maintenance and ongoing expenses at Astoria Nordic Heritage Park, mail the name of the person you are honoring and a check made out to ASHA with a minimum donation of $25 to Light in the Darkness, ASHA, PO Box 34, Astoria OR 97103. It is also possible to donate online at www.AstoriaNordicPark.org on the Contribute page.
