Glowing Anticipation
Annual Dawes luminary tour attracts hundreds of visitors

JACKSONTOWN- Nearly 1,500 luminaries lined the north end of Dawes Arboretum's auto tour route, which was transformed Dec. 7 into the annual Dawes Luminary Tour. Dawes Public Relations Director Laura Appleman said the Daweswood House was lighted with spotlights the Daweswood Memorial had luminaries circling its base. Park National Bank and Dawes employees collected food donations for the Licking County Food Pantry at the end of the tour.

She said more than 700 people enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, holiday crafts and music at the visitors center. Children created holiday wreathes from paper and played "pin the nose on the snowman."

Appleman said this was the 15th year for the luminary tour. The 2007 event raised over $800 in monetary donations as well as a large crate of food. It takes about 1.5 hours to set the bags in place and about an hour to

light the candles. "We do this with the help of our volunteer crew," she said.

Photos by Laura Appleman