MARCH 20, 2019: 33rd ANNUAL VERNAL EQUINOX SUNRISE DANCE ON LANTERN HILL
The Westerly Morris Men plan to celebrate the Vernal Equinox by dancing at dawn on the summit of Lantern Hill in North Stonington, Connecticut. The Vernal Equinox is the moment at which the center of the Sun lies precisely above the Earth's equator, astronomically marking the beginning of Spring.
Participants in the hike and festivities will start meeting at the base of the hill at 6:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 20. By 6:20 A.M., all present will start the 10-20 minute hike to the summit. Sunrise will occur at about 6:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (Source: U.S. Naval Observatory web site)
Lantern Hill is located on the Ledyard / North Stonington town line, just south of Route 2. The trailhead is located on Wintechog Hill Road.
- To reach Wintechog Hill Road from Norwich, take Foxwoods Boulevard and turn right one road after Lantern Hill Road / Route 214 (the location of Foxwoods Casino).
- From Westerly, take a right on Milltown Road which will wind around and take you take straight under Route 2 onto Wintechog Hill Road. If you miss that turn, take the first exit off of the Route 2 Bypass, then turn left onto Foxwoods Boulevard and right onto Wintechog Hill Road. The trailhead is less than 1/4 mile south of Foxwoods Boulevard.
You may click HERE to see pictures of and from Lantern Hill and read much about it .
The Vernal Equinox hike was originally started by Betsy (Oller) Storms of the Pequotsepos Outing Club, of Mystic. Morris dancing was introduced to the event in 1987, making 2019 at least the 33rd consecutive year of celebration at this time and place.
The public is invited and welcome to this open annual event. Typically, 40 or more people make this early morning trek. This event happens during Daylight Savings Time (which starts March 10), making for a relatively later sunrise time than just a few weeks before.
It was and is the hope of the original and current organizers that this event will go on in perpetuity, with or without the Westerly Morris Men, who are a part of the event, not the event itself. If people have ideas about other appropriate celebratory activities for the event, please come up and test them out. It would also be handy if you let us know in advance, so we can coordinate.
The actual Equinox will occur at 5:58 PM EDT, March 20 (Source: U.S. Naval Observatory via NOAA web site).
This hike traditionally occurs at the dawn of the day in which the Equinox falls in the Eastern Time Zone. According to the referenced web site, 2019 is the last year in which the Vernal Equinox will consistently occur on March 20. Thereafter, the Vernal Equinox may be on a different date (March 19) during leap years, starting in 2020.
The Westerly Morris Men practice approximately twice per month on Tuesday nights at McQuade's Marketplace in Westerly, Rhode Island, and are currently seeking new dancers. To inquire about joining the team, please contact team founder, chief musician, and squire Peter Leibert of Preston, CT, at phone # 860-887-9184. You may also inquire about joining the team by sending an email to the Web Master at westerly-morris-men@cox.net
This event is organized by assistant squire Norman Dudziak of Barrington, RI, phone # 401-437-0240.
You can signup for The Westerly Morris Men's occasional email newsletter to let you know about upcoming events, see reports on past events, or see historical photos and stories.
This event occurs regardless of the weather, solely at the discretion and risk of the participants. It is suggested that individuals having any safety concerns related to the weather, expected trail conditions, or their own personal health or fitness, enjoy a good night's sleep, get up a little early, and have their own personal celebration at home.
Happy Vernal Equinox!
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