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Illumination Night. Auditorium Square Park. 7/22/16. Paul Goldfinger photos ©. Click to enlarge.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Last night we had an Illumination Night celebration in Ocean Grove at Auditorium Square Park.  It was a festive occasion, with live music, food, conversation, and lights all over.

Unlike the 2014 first modern edition, this was larger —attended by about 200 people.  The event was sponsored by the Camp Meeting Association and implemented by the Hub management. It had been publicized by a Facebook campaign through the CMA.

It was a pleasant warm evening, and people were sitting about, eating and listening to music, or they were milling about socializing.  There were quite a few children present. The theme of illumination was evident, and it seemed like a good time was had by most.

At one point, a sermon was delivered. This had not been advertised as a religious event.

When we helped Debby Cuddhy promote the first modern revival of Illumination Night  (8/4/14)  we wrote about the history of the event and its potential value as a community tradition of the sort that would offer a cozy  get-together among OG neighbors.  Deb produced such a happening at the Hub in 2014.

It was hoped that Illumination Night would join other traditional town-wide events that would appeal to everyone who lives here including the Fish and Chips dinner, July 4 parade, People’s Garden Tour, Woman’s Club projects, Auxiliary Bazaar, Town picnic, Ice Cream social, etc.  The goal was to strengthen community bonds.

Our  2014 article on the subject spoke about a “festival of lights” and the idea  that this would be a secular event to reflect the historic feel of the original 19th century versions, and Deb succeeded with that theme in 2014.  Yesterday’s  edition seems to have changed that vision somewhat.

Here is a 2014 link which reviews that history:

Illumination Night: A festival of lights in Ocean Grove.

THE PUPPINI SISTERS:   Christmas in July.   Turn on the music and then go to the photos.

ILLUMINATION NIGHT GALLERY  click on one and then follow the arrows.  Then click the X at the upper left corner to get back home.

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