PHOTO GALLERY: Ceremony welcomes back the sun

December 16, 2012 | 6:32 p.m. CST

People donned costumes, painted their faces, carried torches and sang and danced during the Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Attendees were welcoming back the sun.

Lola Harding paints her father Gareth Harding's face while Julie Harding hugs him before the Unitarian Universalist Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Attendees of the celebration dressed in costume, played music and sang to welcome back the sun. | Sarah Hoffman

Greg Baka helps his wife, Julie Baka, put on her outfit for the Unitarian Universalist Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church. | Sarah Hoffman

Cerridwen Bunyea, 7, watches Scott Denson play the accordion at the Unitarian Universalist Church. | Sarah Hoffman

Torch bearers wait in the woods to light the bonfire at the Winter Solstice Celebration. | Sarah Hoffman

Torch bearers stand around a bonfire site at the Unitarian Universalist Winter Solstice Celebration. The annual celebration welcomes back the sun. | Sarah Hoffman

Attendees of the Unitarian Universalist Winter Solstice Celebration dance around the bonfire Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Church. | Sarah Hoffman

Hazel McConnell-Siebuhr, 5, sits on Ramzie Siebuhr's shoulders as they walk around the bonfire at the Unitarian Universalist Winter Solstice Celebration. Attendees marched around the bonfire for about 30 minutes. | Sarah Hoffman