We at Little Friends are committed to celebrating Newburgh's rich cultural heritage while building community connections. This event honors our city's history at Washington's Headquarters while creating new traditions that bring neighbors together. The winter solstice marks the longest, darkest night of the year—a powerful time for communities to gather and create light together. For centuries, people have celebrated the solstice by lighting fires and lanterns, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the promise that brighter days are returning. We dream that this shared experience of making light creates lasting bonds and reminds us that Newburgh's greatest warmth comes from the people who call it home. Famlies, young and old will participate in making paper laterns and puppets to use throughout the lit loop around Washingtons Headquarters, supported by local businesses offerng more warmth with hot cholcoate and tea.