Illuminated by the Luminaria
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| View from my parent’s back deck at sunset. |
Tonight we will be taking the boys to the Luminaria in Scituate Harbor. It is one of the most magical sights and I’m
very excited to share it with them for the first time this year. Candles suspend in milk cartons flickering around the harbor.
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| My father and I |
Luke and I first witnessed this beautiful display of candles when we visited my parents, who lived on Lighthouse Road eight years ago on a visit from England. The Luminaria is so simple, yet so stunning. The lights flicker like little rays of hope out toward the beautiful light shining in the lighthouse itself. It was on this trip ‘across the pond’ that we decided to take the leap – apply for Luke’s green card and quit our jobs in London to move to America.
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| Luke & his infamous fish |
We loved London and our jobs; I worked in TV development and he worked in financial software. We had loads of family and friends there, but something was pulling us to Scituate. Perhaps it was the friendly people, kayaking on the harbor, walking to the beautiful harbor from the point, listening to the waves crash upon the rocks behind my parent’s home, the salt air. Or it could have been the extremely large bass Luke caught on the last day of our trip. These were just things we couldn’t do in London.
We fell in love on that trip and nothing has changed since. We are so grateful to be raising our boys by the sea in this very beautiful town.
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| Photo from Kjeldm Photography in Scituate of the Luminaria |
| Each year the Luminaria marks the start of Heritage Day weekend. This year is special as it is Scituate’s 375th anniversary. If you are local to the area, I highly recommend you coming down to see all the festivities. Below is a calendar of events. If you are abroad then put it on your calendar to join us next year. Below is the schedule of events as listed on Scituate Chamber of Commerce’s website: |
Scituate Heritage Days 2011
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Friday August 5
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8:30 AM Tee off for Annual Knights of Columbus Heritage days Golf Classic at Widow’s Walk
Golf Course, 250 Driftway. $125 includes prime rib dinner.
4:00 PM “First Friday Night” moves outside, sidewalk sales throughout Scituate Harbor.
6:00-8:00 PM Harbor United Methodist Church Pie Social and ice cream bar. 55 First Parish Road.
6:30 PM. Meet Kathie Lee, author of Raising Scituate Spirits, Front Street Book Shop
6:00-8:00 PM Front Street Gallery Reception. Raffle of a painting.
7:00-10:00 PM Live music, Brian Stratton at the DogWatch at the Inn at Scituate Harbor.
8:30 PM Luminaria along Scituate coastline.
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Saturday August 6
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7:30-10:30 AM Scituate Rotary Club serves traditional Pancake breakfast at St. Mary’s Parish center, 14 Edward Foster Rd., Scituate Harbor. Proceeds for local charities, $6.00 per adult ticket, children under 6 free. Tickets at door.
9:00-10:00 AM Opening Ceremonies at Cole Parkway and Otis St. Mat Brown will recount the story of “Don’t Give Up the Ship”
9:00 AM-4:00 PM Scituate Rotary Club’s Shelter Box Exhibit. Dr. Parson’s front lawn, 173 Front St. Proceeds to families recovering from natural and other disasters.
9:00AM to 5:00 PM Front Street and Cole Parkway: artisans, amusements, refreshments, music, children’s activities and sidewalk sales.
10:00-4:00 Scituate Maritime Center will present the “Under Water, Across the Harbor” art show. Scituate harbor Launch boat will be available ($2 per person) at the bottom of the gangplank at Cole Parkway Marina behind the harbormaster’s office.
10:00 Border Road performs on Otis Street
10:00 Jack Conway Real Estate sponsors a Homemade Baked Goods sale at 80 Front St. to benefit a local charity.
10:00-5:00 Rides for the whole family from North American Amusements.
10:00-5:00 Children’s Art Workshop Tent located outside South Coastal Bank. Sponsored by the Scituate Art Association. A variety of activities for children and teens; murals, collage and painting activities led by SAA member Kathy Mogayzel.
10:00-5:00 Front Street Art Gallery: “Scituate & South Shore Scenes” works of gallery members and “Scituate Memories” selected works of SAA member Janet Printz Kaplan (1917-2008).
11:00-6:00 P.M .Ellis House. 709 Country Way. SAA Artists will host open studios
10:30 Front Street Book Shop, 165 Front St. Meet Rosalie Tagg Masella, author of Adventures of Dingle Dee and Lingle Dee. Sale displays on front lawn.
11:30 Roger Cerisi All Starz with former members of Roomful of Blues perform on Otis Street
1:00 The Fools perform at Otis Street
2:00 Boat races at Jericho Road beach. Kayakers welcome. Special races for children.
2:30 Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen of Professor Louie perform at Otis Street.
4:00 Vanilla Fudge with Carmine Appice performs at Otis Street.
4:00-6:00 Traditional Pig Roast at Knights of Columbus, 234 CJC Hwy (Rte 3A), Scituate
7:00-10:00 P.M. Live music, Matt Chase at the DogWatch at the Inn at Scituate Harbor.
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Sunday August 7
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9:00 AM-5:00 Front Street and Cole Parkway; artisans, amusements, refreshments,
music, children’s activities, sidewalk sales. Fun for all!
9:00-5:00 Children’s Art Workshop tent located outside South Coastal Bank. Sponsored by the Scituate Art Association. A variety of activities for children and teens. Murals, collage and painting activities.
10:00-5:00 Rides for the whole family from North American Amusements.
11:00 A.M.- 6:00 P.M. Scituate Art Association Ellis House artists will host open studios at 709 Country Way
10:30 AM Toni Lynn Washington will perform on Otis St.
11:45 A.M. Reggae fest with Jah Spirit performs on Otis Street
1:00-4:00 Christopher’s Irish Shop will host the Irish Band. Irish bread and scones will be served with lots of sale specials along with the music!
1:00 P.M. Music TBA
1:00 P.M. Boat Parade/Blessing of the Fleet. All Welcome. Boats line up at bell outside Harbor. Officiating will be Rev. Kenneth Cannon of St. Mary’s of the Nativity
2:30 Badfinger performs on Otis Street.
3:00-7:00 P.M. Live Music, TBA at the DogWatch at the Inn at Scituate Harbor
4:15 P.M. The Family Stone (Sly’s sister with original members) perform on Otis St.
5:00-7:00 Scituate Maritime Center will host a cocktail party. $10 per person. All are welcome to sit out on the deck and enjoy the sunset!
*** Merchant Specials***
Vision Source, 85 Front St. 5th Anniversary and Heritage Days Specials! Pop the balloon discount on Maui Jim sunglasses, drawing for prescription Serengeti & Ray-Ban sunglasses. Stop by for additional specials each day!
Visit scituatechamber.org for updates to the schedule.
PARKING IS LIMITED. Free, continuous shuttle bus parking at the Greenbush rail station on the Driftway. Buses will run from 9 A.M. until approximately 6-6:30 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday.
