June 20th, 2024Celebrate winter solstice at Creswick

It’s time to tap your inner druid, commune with your alternate mystical self, and warm up beside the dancing flames as Creswick’s Park Lake sets the scene for the town’s annual Winter Solstice bonfire.

The local CFA team will be lighting the bonfire at 5pm this Friday June 21 with the Friends of Park Lake inviting all pixies, fairies, elves and other mystical woodland creatures to join them for what promises an enchanting night to celebrate the solstice.

Friends of Park Lake secretary Andrew Bell, says this Friday is the actual Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, with the days to start lengthening beyond then.

He says that at Friday evening’s solstice bonfire the local scouts will be running a warming sausage sizzle, and there will be best costume prizes with everyone encouraged to don their best druid, fairy, pixie, elf or mystical woodland creature outfit for the event.

“I’d just advise the pixies to wear two sets of tights,” laughs Andrew, adding “rug up”.

The wintery weather is all part of what makes the Winter Solstice a special and atmospheric time of year.

Andrew says all members of the community are invited to get along and it’s free to attend but there will be a donation box with all contributions helping the Friends of Park Lake to maintain and further beautify the significant historic location.

“And we do hope to reinstate the fountain in the old fernery gully,” Andrew says.

Fun fact: Creswick Park Lake is surrounded by parklands and interpretive signage and there is also a section of the Creswick of the Lindsay Arts Trail, which focuses on the famous Lindsay family and their history in Creswick. Trail guides are available from the Visitor Information Centre.

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Contributed