What is the "Christmas Pickle" tradition in Illinois?

If you have never heard of the Christmas tradition called the “Christmas Pickle,” you are missing out.

The “Christmas Pickle” tradition is when a decoration or ornament in the shape of a pickle is hidden in a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The person who finds the pickle first receives a special present, gets to open the first gift or gets to hand out the presents for their family to open.

You may be wondering, “why a pickle, and where did this tradition come from?” Many Americans believe this is a tradition from Germany, and the pickle is often referred to as a Weihnachtsgurke, but evidence shows that the tradition did not originate in Germany.

Many families in Illinois celebrate this tradition, and hang a pickle ornament on their tree every year.

One suggested origin is that the tradition came from Camp Sumter during the Civil War in America. Bavarian-born Private John C. Lower had enlisted in the 103^rd Pennsylvania Infantry, but was captured in April 1864 and taken to a prison camp. On Christmas Eve, he begged a guard for a pickle while starving, and the guard provided him with the pickle. Lower credited that pickle and guard for saving his life, and when he returned to his family in Bavaria, he began the tradition of hiding a pickle in the tree each year.

Another suggested origin of the tradition comes from Berrien Springs. It is a Victorian era tale of St. Nicholas saving two Spanish children who were trapped in a barrel of pickles by an innkeeper, but this story also derives from a gruesome medieval legend.

So, what do you think? Is the “Christmas Pickle” tradition something you see yourself doing with your family this year?

For more information on the pickle tradition, visit here: https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/reviews/br/apparel-br/holiday-br/the-christmas-pickle-tradition-does-your-family-do-it/

Fun and new ways to celebrate the new year!

Communities in Illinois are preparing for new and exciting celebrations to help you ring in the new year! From a holiday parade with dazzling light shows to a night in downtown Springfield celebrating with fireworks, entertainment and music, there are many different opportunities to enjoy the new year in your local community. Do not miss out being a part of these New Year’s Eve events near you:

Chicago

The City of Chicago is known for some unique and grand New Year’s Eve celebrations including the city’s premier party at Time Out Market featuring 18 different eateries.

If you want to see fireworks with a spectacular view, then head over to Cindy’s Rooftop New Year’s Eve Bash where music, complimentary drinks and firework displays from Navy Pier create a vibrant atmosphere.

Or dress up and have a sophisticated evening at The Lobby’s New Year’s Gala at the Peninsula where you can enjoy a five-course prix-fixe dinner featuring caviar, lobster and a dessert buffet while listening to music by a solo pianist and a seven-piece band.

Peoria

Tour Folepi’s Winter Wonderland with Peoria’s “Get Lit” New Year’s Eve Celebration, which features the city’s Parade of Lights’ floats, lighted trolley rides and other mesmerizing light displays.

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Light up the night at Illinois holiday lightshows

Although the days are short and nights are cold, light up the night and warm up your spirits by attending a local light show. Lightshows during the winter months are a long-standing tradition in townships and major cities across the state. Lightshows can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season and even past the new year.

Here are a few notable displays to check out:

Northern Illinois

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago are back for the 29^th year. Tickets are $7 to $10 per person and admission is free on Mondays. Enjoy the lights from now until Jan. 7.

Freeport Festival of Trees

From now until Dec. 27, enjoy holiday trees decorated by local organizations and vote for your favorite.

Rockford Festival of Lights

Visit this free drive-thru event at Sinnissippi Park from now until New Year’s Eve. This will be Rockford’s grandest light show since the tradition started back in 1989.

Western Illinois

Winter Lights at Quad City Botanical Gardens

Visit the Winter Lights at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island to witness over 225,000 glowing lights illuminating the gardens. This experience will be open until New Year’s Day and tickets are available for purchase on their website.

Quincy Festival of Lights

Visit the Quincy Festival of Lights from now until New Year’s Eve. Catch Santa and Mrs. Clause on Dec. 22 for a special treat.

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Learn about the Winter Solstice in Illinois

According to NASA, the winter solstice will be taking place this year at 9:27 p.m. on Dec. 21, making that the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight.

So, what does the winter solstice represent? Not only does it mean that Illinois will be seeing just under nine hours and eight minutes of daylight on Dec. 21, it also means that the Earth’s axis is currently furthest away from the sun.

Because of this, the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere also represents the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. During the summer solstice in Illinois, the Earth’s axis will be at its closest point to the sun in its yearly rotation.

You might be wondering if that means that the winter solstice is also the earliest sunset and latest sunrise of the year? Good question, but no. Since the calendar is not a perfect reflection of the Earth’s movements through space and time, the earliest sunset of the year occurred earlier this month.

However, the days are still becoming shorter, because the sunrise is occurring later and later, and will do so until early January, when the sunrise will occur at about 7:18 a.m.

In Cahokia, which is near the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, indigenous people built multiple temple mounds or pyramids, much like the Aztecs built. Among these stood an interesting structure known today as “Woodhenge,” which had large wooden posts, positioned in a circle.

On the winter solstice, the sun aligns with the Woodhenge and a temple mound in the distance.

This as well as other archeological evidence has led researchers to make the assumption that the Cahokia people, like many indigenous people, revered the sun and considered it a deity. It is also thought that they made careful observations of the solar system and held rituals honoring the sun for the upcoming agricultural year.

In Cahokia, the Winter Solstice will be observed at Cahokia Mounds on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 7 a.m. Visitors should gather at the reconstructed Woodhenge, which is approximately one-half mile west of Monks Mound (the largest mound), on Collinsville Road. While waiting for the sunrise, an archaeologist will explain the discovery of the Woodhenges, their function, and the Mississippian culture that built them. Out of respect to indigenous culture, there will be no rituals or ceremonies performed. The present Woodhenge was built in its original location in 1985, following years of excavations that led to the locations being revealed of the large posts.

The Winter Solstice is a mysterious event due to many people not knowing about its history or significance, and we may never truly know what it meant to the indigenous people.