Annual Luminaria Display cancelled due to Christmas Blizzard

A peculiar weather pattern created uncertainty in the unfolding of the planned Christmas Eve Goodhue Blvd candle display for 2023. Mild weather conditions seemed ideal for assembling over 500 luminarias that would line the 7-block area from A St to the Nebraska State Capitol at dusk. Over the last ten years this fun project has evolved to include Grace Chapel members as well as volunteers from the Near South and Lincoln.

A luminaria display from a previous Christmas Eve

The 20 individuals that showed up at Grace Chapel to help with assembly on Saturday, Dec 23, were sad to learn this year the project had been scrapped. The latest weather forecasts indicated that there indeed would be a white Christmas with high winds that would make it unlikely that luminarias would stay lit or be seen.

Thanks to Crystal Davy, coordinator with Grace Chapel, for providing a space to set up the luminarias, and the Grace Chapel volunteers for showing up to help. Also thanks go out to Merritt Concrete for sand donation, to Todd Bumgarner, Ben Reis and Bob Watson for bucket and sand delivery, and to Dale Betz for his help with delivery of materials before and after the project.

Look for this event on Christmas Eve 2024, If you’d like to be a part of a fun project, this is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

-Marcie Young, project chair