SHREWSBURY – Hundreds of community members gathered at the Scandinavian Athletic Club on Dec. 10 to celebrate Lucia Fest.
Lucia is celebrated annually in December. According to Visit Sweden, the celebration’s origins can be traced back to the fourth century, commemorating “the martyr Lucia of Syracuse, who, as legend has it, brought food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way with a candlelit wreath on her head.”
After the club’s Spelmanslag performed, the Lucia procession began; boys and girls dressed in white robes walked onto the stage and started to sing. Throughout the venue, proud parents smiled as their children participated in the celebration. The event also featured music from accordionist Dan Mackowiak.
The event had raffles, shopping opportunities, and several food offerings, including homemade Swedish meatballs, homemade potato korv, an assortment of baked goods and glögg, a Swedish mulled wine.
The Lucia Fest was held by the Swedish National Federation of Worcester.
