A traditional Swedish Luciafest will be presented at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 181 Elm St., East Longmeadow, on Sunday, December 9 at 3 p.m.

The Lucia pageant in the sanctuary will be followed by a holiday party with folk music and dancing around Santa's tree in the social hall. This annual festivity features the Three Crowns Swedish Children's Club and is sponsored by Brage-Iduna Lodge #9 of the fraternal organization Vasa Order of America (see http://www.vasaorder.com). Seasonal refreshments will be served.

Lucia is a celebration that takes place in Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden, on the year's darkest day, December 13 (the darkest day according to the old calendar, i.e., before 1753).
Lucia, the Queen of Light, wears a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head. She leads a procession called "Luciatåg" where she is accompanied by an entourage of white-clad attendants carrying lit candles. They perform Lucia songs and bring coffee, ginger breads and saffron buns. But most importantly, they bring light for the upcoming holidays amid the dark Nordic winter.

This year's Lucia, Rachel Lacey, daughter of lodge member Jill Lacey of Westfield, has participated in Children's Club since 2006. She enjoys music and dancing and participates in many sports: cross country, basketball, lacrosse, running and softball. She also loves animals including her horse Lacey whom she loves to ride year round.

The public is invited and admission is free. For directions or more info about the event, call Marcia Radner at (413) 782-4959.