Lighten up, with solstice celebrations

 As fun as the holiday season is, by the time Christmas rolls around it has started to feel like the sun is only up for a few hours before disappearing again. The shortest day of this year falls on Wednesday, Dec. 21, and you can celebrate the return of longer days on your own or join one of the organized events happening in Yachats and Lincoln City.

Yachats Winter Solstice Celebration

Gather at the Yachats Commons Pavilion for food, friends and frolicking around a crackling bonfire, including an acoustic instrument music jam led by Morgen Silverhorn and friends.

A variety of chilis, including vegan, will be available, plus hot, fresh-popped popcorn and water to help rehydrate you after dancing.

The festivities are being organized by Polly Plum Productions as happy acknowledgements to the increasing daylight hours and a tribute to the sun, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, a time for transformation, renewed creativity and good luck. The positive overcoming negative and a victory of light over darkness.

The celebration happens from 4 to 7 pm, or “until the bonfire goes out.” The Yachats Commons is located at 441 Hwy. 101. For more information, go to pollyplumb.org.

Driftwood Solstice Celebration

Join Driftwood Public Library staff for the annual Solstice Celebration, an evening of music, poetry, crafts and cookies. For more than a decade, the library has been a gathering place for musicians and poets from throughout Lincoln County, and they invite you to come for the open mic and perform a song or read a short story or poem in the spirit of Winter Solstice.

The event is from 6 to 8 pm. Driftwood Public Library is located at 801 SW Hwy. 101. For more information, go to driftwoodlib.org.