Gather around the campfire to mark winter solstice

Gather around the campfire as the sun sets on Sunday, Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year.

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will hold its annual Winter Solstice Campfire at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday in St. Charles.

The program is free, and all ages are welcome to herald the return of the sun. The program will include stories from different cultures, emphasizing the interplay of cultural, astronomical, and ecological events on this pivotal day.

"Our meteorological calendar pins the first day of winter on December 21," said Nature Programs Manager Valerie Blaine, "but in many ancient cultures, December 21 was called 'Midwinter.' It marks the time when the daylight begins to get at last a bit longer."

During the Solstice Campfire program, district naturalists will tell tales from ancient Britain, Germany, Scandinavia, Egypt and Native American cultures. Interwoven with cultural history will be explanations of the astronomy behind the traditions.

"People were more in tune with natural cycles in the old days," Blaine said. "In our high-tech lifestyle, lit with LEDs and fluorescent lights, we tend to get out of sync with the rhythms of the seasons. Our winter solstice program will include observation of what's happening in the natural world, including animals and plants. The change is remarkable, if you know what to look - and listen - for."

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve is at 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Advance registration is required. To register, call (630) 444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com.