The inaugural Winter Solstice Luminary Festival is planned in both Port Townsend and Port Angeles on Thursday.

The festival will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In Port Townsend, participants will meet on the front lawn of the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St., where they will be given their pre-ordered locally crafted paper lanterns. The group will start its journey through the streets of Uptown Port Townsend.

The walk will take place in the dark with no luminaria lighted.

When the group arrives at the Bell Tower, participants will receive light from a single candle and choose spots along the stairs to place their lanterns.

Afterward, there will be coffee, tea, cider or hot cocoa at Haller Fountain.

In Port Angeles, participants will meet at the Conrad Dyer Fountain at the corner of First and Laurel streets where they will be given their pre-ordered lanterns.

The group will walk with unlit lanterns, accompanied by a lone drummer, to The Gateway pavilion at the corner of Front and Lincoln streets.

There the lanterns will be lit and placed on the steps.

Refreshments will be served at the fountain.

“When the light of the sun seems cold and far away, the goal is to brighten the longest night of the year with lanterns, fire, singing, drumming, music and dancing,” organizers said.

Twisted History and Velvet Revolution are hosting this event, designed to recognize the longest night of the year and journey to bring back the light of a new season.

All ages and faiths are welcome.

Contact http://www.tour porttownsend.com/Special- Events.html to reserve a spot and purchase a lantern for $10.

The last day to order lanterns in advance is Saturday. A limited number of lanterns will be available at the event.

For information, call 360-390-8318 or email grymm@twistedhistory tours.com.