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by Carey King
Dillsboro merchants can tell you a lot about candles, sand and
paper bags.
That's because this year marks the 20th year they've used those
three ingredients to construct thousands of luminaries to light
the streets of Dillsboro during the first two weeks in December.
Susan Leveille, owner of Oaks Gallery, participated in the first
Luminaire in 1984.
"The first night, the stores weren't open. There was no music,
no party. People just drove through in their cars," she said.
"The four-lane highway wasn't here then. We went out and
stood on the old bridge and a full moon came over the horizon
and it was beautiful. There wasn't anything to do but to do it
again the next year," she said.
Not all Dillsboro merchants participated that first year. At that
time, there were not as many shops - only the Riverwood galleries
and about six other stores in the shopping district participated.
A few shopkeepers were sure the town would burn down, Leveille
said.
Dillsboro was the first town in Western North Carolina to decorate
with luminaries, organizers say. They're not exactly sure of the
idea's origins, but they think a few merchants had seen the decorations
used in the American Southwest.
For years, the people of Mexico have gathered on Christmas Eve
to light bonfires to welcome the coming Christ child. One story
says that early in 20th century New Mexico, a family was unable
to prepare the traditional bonfire because of illness. Instead,
the youngest child of the family placed a candle in a sand-filled
paper bag to keep the tradition alive.
The idea spread, and this year, supplies coordinator Ruth McConnell
of Riverwood Pewter Shop will equip Dillsboro merchants with 2,356
candles for each night of Luminaire.
In addition to the candles, shopkeepers have now added white electric
lights and garland to the standard decor.
John Clark of Dillsboro Supply drives around each evening to supply
the shops with sand.
"He fills up our buckets," said festival coordinator
Stacey Hepp, who runs Dillsboro Chocolate Factory with her husband,
David.
"Luminaire started out as a gift to the community from the
merchants. It's really a town effort," Hepp said on the porch
of her shop while she finalized festival details with entertainment
coordinator Karen Barnes.
Barnes, who owns Riverwood Pottery with her husband, Brant, rattled
off a long list of performers that will entertain guests at various
sites around town.
Those scheduled to appear thus far include the Cullowhee Mountain
Cloggers, Highland Pipe and Drum Corps, Carolina Consort, Bound
by Grace, Wooden Voices, Bryson City Brass Ensemble, Scottish
Country Dancers, Scotts Creek Baptist Church, East Sylva Baptist
Church, organ grinder Harold Sims, caroler Henry Wong, First United
Methodist Church Youth Handbell Choir, dulcimer player Marilyn
McReady, and the chorus, jazz band and concert band from Smoky
Mountain High School.
"The first night, the third grade from Cullowhee Valley School
will carol here on the porch," said Hepp, adding that she
promised to repay the students with hot chocolate and fudge for
their efforts.
"The time I did that for a handbell choir that performed,
they just kept ringing faster and faster," Hepp said.
Sweet treats will be offered to all Luminaire visitors, as most
merchants offer plates of cookies or other holiday snacks, Barnes
said.
"This is how I get all my baking ya-ya's out of my system.
And my husband is the fudgemeister," she said.
The Barneses also have established the tradition of burning a
Yule fire near their store.
"People come back year after year and bring hot dogs and
marshmallows," Barnes said.
The Dillsboro Merchants Association will host the 20th Annual
Festival of Lights and Luminaries Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6
and 12-13, with festivities beginning at dusk.
"Come early. Park by 5 or 5:30. Go ahead and have dinner
at one of the many fine restaurants downtown. Or bring some hot
dogs and come up to the Yule Fire," Barnes said.
"Then you can graze through town for dessert."
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