Stanton to celebrate Santa Lucia Festival

For the 60th year, Stanton will begin its holiday season with the traditional Swedish Santa Lucia Festival of Lights Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., in the Stanton High School gym. This year’s theme is “Griwoldson’s Family Christmas Vacation.”

The Santa Lucia story begins in Italy when Christians were being persecuted  by the Romans because of their faith. Lucia, a Christian maiden, brought food and medicine to the Christians hiding in secret. Lucia’s parents arranged for her to marry a pagan nobleman. She refused and was tortured. The story of Lucia’s martyrdome and sainthood spread north to Scandinavia by the missionaries and she became the patron saint of all maidens.

This is a communitywide event to give town people and children of the community an understanding and appreciation of their Swedish heritage, however newcomers are encouraged to join in on the fun.

The festival includes a skit, Swedish dances and songs by the elementary students, the Skona Maj singers, and the recognition of native Swedes and past Santa Lucia Queens. Highlighting the festival is the crowning of the 2011 Santa Lucia Queen by last year’s Queen, Alexa Anderson. There will be a bake sale in the concourse prior to and immediately following the program. Free coffee and cookies will be served following the coronation. Monetary donations are appreciated and donation cans will be by the gym doors.

Queen candidates must be a junior or senior girl who attends Stanton Community School. They must also be the oldest unmarried daughter living at home. On the morning of Dec. 10, she must rise early and serve breakfast in bed to her parents or guardian. A parent or guardian will call Janean Hart at  829-2441 between 7-8:30 a.m., to confirm her daughter’s eligibility. The candidates will sing for residents at nursing homes in Red Oak, Stanton and Villisca, as well as visit shut-ins.

Voting will take place at the Stanton Senior Center from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Residents of the Stanton School district who are school age and older are eligible to vote. Families of open enrolled students may also vote. The candidate receiving the most votes will be crowned Santa Lucia Queen.