Sunday, December 14th, 2008 will mark the 33rd year for Mt. Lookout’s holiday season Luminaria event. This annual tradition is made possible through the efforts of the Mt. Lookout Community Council and volunteers from the Mt. Lookout community such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America and individual street volunteers. Proceeds flow back to the community in many ways, including square beautification, candidates night, movie night in Ault Park, and community events like summer dances at Ault Park.

LIGHT UP MT. LOOKOUT SQUARE ON LUMINARIA EVENING

This year’s event again includes the 3rd annual tradition for the Mt. Lookout Business Association, called Light up Mt. Lookout Square. Many shops will decorate their store fronts and keep extended hours for the evening.  There will be two shuttles running between the square and the Observatory throughout the event starting at 6:30 pm and running until 8:30 pm.

OBSERVATORY OPEN HOUSE

The Cincinnati Observatory will also again be joining in on the annual Luminaria event!! We will light up the streets, and the Observatory will be open to show off the lights of the night sky.  

Both telescopes will be open up for viewings and light refreshments will be provided for all who attend. The gift shop will be open as well for last minute holiday gifts or a little something for you to remember the evening. Bring the entire family along with your friends and neighbors. This is a great time to show off our historic architectural gem to everyone.

ORDERING A LUMINARIA KIT

Kits are available through your street captains, as they have been for the past 30 years.  Due to last year's success, we will once again offer the ability to purchase your kit on-line.  For $15 per kit you will receive:

24 Candles	24 Paper Bags	Sand

PDF ORDER FORM PRINT AND MAIL IT

Kits will be delivered on or shortly after December 6th, 2008. A limited number of kits will be available for purchase at local establishments after December 6th.

In case of precipitation/high wind, the alternate burn night is Sunday, December 21, 2008. 

If the decision is made to move to the alternate burn night, it will be posted by 5:00pm on December 14th at key neighborhood intersections, on the MLCC website (www.mtlookout.org), and on the Community Council Infoline @ 723-5599.

PACK DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped pack over 800 kits last year.  Here are some pictures from the event:  

 Pack Day 2007

 Great Helpers

 Assembly Line

 Girl Scout Volunteers

 Sand Baggers

 Zone Captains Unite

 Kits Ready for Pick-Up

Pack day is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th at Rohde’s Funeral Home.  Packing starts at 8:00 and with coffee and donuts supplied.  WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!  Please join us for Pack Day!!!

Street Captains can pick up kits on Saturday Dec. 6th from 10am-12noon at Rohde’s Funeral Home – See you on pack day!

HISTORY OF THE EVENT

Every year people ask – “How did Luminaria start in Mt. Lookout?”  Well now you have your answers…

Luminaria began out of necessity in 1975. The birth of Luminaria was due in part for the need to raise funds for a float to celebrate the nation's bicentennial in 1976.  The Civic Club did not have the funds to pay for the tissue paper squares needed to stuff the chicken-wire frame float. Lucky for the Civic Club and following generations of Mt. Lookout residents that Mrs. Georgia McCartney recalled a Spanish custom adopted by an Arizona community she visited the previous year. The Spanish custom included lighting bonfires to guide the Christ Child into people's homes during the  holiday season. The tradition has evolved into using paper bags with candles inside for the purpose of guiding guests to the household. Mr. Elmer Scherman, the Luminaria Chairman recalls that approximately 900 kits were sold the first year for $3.75 each. The holiday tradition has continued ever since.