This weekend marks the return of one Alexandria neighborhood’s very special, long running local tradition: the Warwick Village Luminaria.
The Luminaria is celebrated with thousands of paper lanterns lining the streets of the neighborhood. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at sunset (approximately 5 p.m.).
Amy Anda, President of the Warwick Village Citizens Association, said the neighborhood was established as a rental community in the 1950s but people began to buy homes there in the 70s. The Luminaria started sometime in the 80s, as best Anda could tell, but the origins are somewhat murky.
Today, the Warwick Village Citizens Association organizes the event.
“It’s one night a year, this coming Saturday, when we put them all together and put them out and light them so they’re lit by sunset, around 5 p.m.,” Anda said. “This year, we’re also having the Scuttlebutt Bakeshop cookie truck close to the roundabout.”
The Luminaria was featured in the artwork at the aforementioned new mini-roundabout at the intersection of Kennedy and Hickory Streets. Many on the Arts Commission heard about the event for the first time through the roundabout’s artwork and said they were excited to see it this year. Reception on the roundabout itself has been a little more mixed.
Anda said while the event itself is beautiful, another big part of the celebration is recognizing the community that comes together to make it happen:
Logistically it’s quite a sight and feat. I first enjoyed it as a volunteer and someone who was in Warwick Village. Even prior to living here I’d heard of it and saw it, but it was all a mystery miracle, it just happened.
Now, the last couple years here I’ve been on the other side as one of the organizers and myself putting down hundreds if not thousands of lanterns. It’s a great time, you see friends come together and families, visitors and the fact that, especially in this day and age of technology and very full calendars, we take a beat as a community one day to keep this tradition going.
It’s also really neat when people who aren’t connected to the origins of a tradition continue to carry it forward, and I know that’s something people both inside and outside of Warwick Village look forward to.
This year, the event is also collecting toys, games and books for donation to the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office Operation Elf project. Anda also said more volunteers for the event are always appreciate and it’s a good opportunity to meet fellow Alexandria neighbors.
