Fireworks at the Grand Illumination. Image / Colonial Williamsburg
The Grand Illumination in Williamsburg, Virginia began seventy five years ago with the simple lighting of candles in the windows and decorating with wreaths and garlands, but it has grown into a major event for local residents and William & Mary College students, as well as for visitors and tourists.
The Fifes and Drums playing traditional 18th century music were added as part of the event fifty years ago in 1959, after the founding of the group in 1958.
The traditional illumination consists of single candles, or lights, being lit in each window of the houses and buildings as the historic way of marking an occasion. Other lights, trees, garlands, and decorations are part of the festive atmosphere of the season, but the window candles and the bursts of fireworks start off the holiday season in the restored historic city. The tradition is based on celebrations in England and the colonies, although there is no specific documentation that Williamsburg, as the capital city in colonial times, followed the tradition.
The Grand Illumination of Colonial Williamsburg takes place on Sunday of the first full weekend in December, which will be December 6 in 2009. The events will begin at 4:45 PM with entertainment on multiple outdoor stages throughout the town and costumed performers presenting traditional entertainment. At 5:45 the Fifes and Drums will signal the beginning of Grand Illumination. At 6:15 the candles or lights in the windows of homes and public buildings will be lit and fireworks will be launched from the Governor’s Palace, the Magazine, and the Capital. The outdoor entertainment will continue until 7:30 PM.
The tradition of placing one candle in each window of the house is observed all over Virginia and in many other states, although for safety and practical reasons battery powered “candles” or electric lights are more commonly used today. So, if you haven’t got your holiday lights up yet, you can join with Colonial Williamsburg in spirit and turn on your own grand illuminations on Sunday evening. If you aren’t up to ladders and extension cords or the work of a grand display of lights, a simple battery powered candle in each window conveys your good wishes to your neighbors with historic simplicity.
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Comments
Pauline:
Interesting, thorough historical - based article..as always.
Cheers...
I like the idea of the candles we display now have their roots in colonial America. Williamsburg is beautiful and interesting all year long; I can only assume that this is especially true at Christmas.
What a great idea. I wish I could be there to witness that. I am sure that it is a blast! Pun surely intended!
Nice to learn the history of the candles. Here in New England they have remained a constant presence, as in Williamsburg
I love the tradition of the candles in the windows. Actually, I have candles in my windows year round. I love it. But this event sounds exciting and festive. Thanks for sharing and letting in your corner of the world!
Great article Pauline. As Dawn says, we have lights in our New England windows not just during Christmas time. The Captain's houses, like mine, have them almost all year round...I wonder if they were meant to wait for the men to come home from the sea. I'm going to have to research that and see how that relates to New England and the sea.
The East Coast holiday traditions are SO different than the West Coast and Midwestern ones I've experienced. There's nothing "wrong" with any of them, of course, except maybe when folks spend money they don't have. Unfortunately, that particular tradition seems to know no boundaries!
I love the look of houses lit by one candle in each window. Driving at night and seeing these simple decorations always make me smile. The celebration sounds wonderful. The fireworks are surely beautiful. But what I would love to be able to witness is the Fife and Drum Corps performing. I bet they are awesome.
Sounds like a terrific event to attend and get in the spirit of the holidays!
Sounds wonderful. I've always intended to visit Williamsburg. I hope to make it in 2010.
Fireworks lighting up historical buildings looks really cool.
You are so full of new information. Great article, thanks.
Beautiful. I also enjoyed the historical information.
What an amazing photo! Huge fireworks over the colonial house and so clear! Maybe I can do that some day...
We used to have electric candles in every window when I was growing up...It is good to think of that again.
Amazing picture! Looks like the 4th on Christmas. I love it. This spring we're heading to Williamsburg with the grandkids.
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