The longest night of the year need not conjure up nightmarish images of drudgery, melancholy or seasonal despair. The sheer exuberance of our light filled summer days, although teeming with life and energy and sunshine, do not yield the same profound feelings of togetherness and love that we embrace during the cozy confines of our darkest months.

The seemingly endless nights of winter are tempered by the seemingly endless list of things that bring warmth and light and joy. The warmth of family and friends joining together for the exchange of gifts and food – or just the (oh so sweet) comfort that closeness brings. The light and joy that emanates from that circle of friends and family is simply unparalleled.

December 21^st, Winter Solstice, is the longest night of the year and we invite you and your friends and family to come downtown and join in the celebration of this brilliant day. Take pleasure in the simple beauty of our little river city…..the many delightfully decorated windows of our downtown shops, the radiant snowflakes adorning our lamp posts, the luminaries shining like little diamonds in the rough……

Listen to Eight Live Bands playing everything from steel drums to cool jazz to traditional holiday tunes. Get your picture taken with Santa, say “Hi” to Mrs. Claus, taste scrumptious cookies and cocoa, take part in the downtown scavenger hunt, finish up your holiday shopping, and top it all off with a wintry stroll over to the banks of the Chena for a spectacular fireworks display.

This solstice, together with friends and family, indulge in the many holiday traditions a trip downtown provides, and Rejoice in the Night.