Peace Candle

This article is about the candle in Easton, Pennsylvania. For the candle in Scappoose, Oregon, see Peace Candle of the World.

Peace Candle
A tall white structure resembling a candle with a yellow fiberglass flame on the top sits in the center of a town square-like area. At the base of the structure are two smaller, identical-looking candle-life structures. A line of people sit on a small brick wall running in front of the structure. In the background are small buildings and a flagpole with an American flag. In the foreground are two trees without leaves.
The Peace Candle in the Centre Square of Easton, Pennsylvania, in November 2009.
Map
LocationEaston, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°41′28″N 75°12′32″W / 40.6911°N 75.2090°W / 40.6911; -75.2090
EstablishedDecember 10, 1951

The Peace Candle is a tower-like structure erected every Christmas season in Easton, Pennsylvania. The approximately 106-foot (32 m) tall structure, which resembles a giant candle, is assembled each year over the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument, a Civil War memorial located in the city's Centre Square. It is typically assembled in mid November and lighted over Thanksgiving weekend and disassembled in early February each year.[1][2]

The Peace Candle was first erected in 1951, and has been put up every year (except two) since then.[3] Due to damage or disrepair, the Peace Candle has been replaced with new candle structures twice since the original construction. The first candle lasted until 1968, the second candle from 1969 to 1989, and the current candle was built in 1990.[4]The structure is dedicated to the Easton area men and women who have served or are serving in the United States armed forces.[5]

It has been said to be the largest non-wax Christmas candle in the country.[5][6][7] Although conceived with the hopes of restoring Easton's pre-20th century reputation for elaborate Christmas decorations, city officials also believed a candle would serve as a symbol of peace for all religions and denominations. Due to its symbolism for peace and its placement over a Civil War monument, the candle has been the site of several anti-war protests over the decades. Some have criticized the Peace Candle, calling it a symbol of the over-commercialization of Christmas, and condemning the fact that it covers a war monument.

  1. ^ "International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers". IBEW Journal. 90. 1991.
  2. ^ Sandler, Roberta (June 11, 2000). "Spirit of freedom A fabric of historical riches is well preserved in Easton, PA". Asbury Park Press. p. 1F.
  3. ^ "Nov. 23, 2009 100 years ago today". The Express-Times. November 23, 2009. p. B6.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Koltnow1127 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Saunders, William Lawrence (1955). Compressed air magazine. Vol. 60–61. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Library. p. 370.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Express102567 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference McEvoy122009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).