This past month, Quogue Wildlife Refuge held its beloved “Light The Night” trail walk. I’ve heard through the grapevine that the annual walk is magical, peaceful, and paints the dreaded cold winter nights in a whole new light (literally).
The community braced the cold, freezing temperatures as they followed a lantern trail and entered a quaint marketplace with a Hamptons Coffee Company booth serving delicious, complimentary hot chocolate in reusable mugs, a merch booth with an impressive selection of animal stickers, beanies, pins, maps, stuffed animals, and my personal favorite, a bandana with a map of the Refuge. A must-have for any wildlife fanatic.
Large, dazzling stars guide you through the trail, where millions of lights danced on the trees and the ground as you made your way through. I walked during the adult-only time slot and opted for a quiet, peaceful stroll. I finally understood the hype around the walk; your mind quiets down, and the cold, refreshing air feels like a relief after numerous days spent held captive inside, with the heat blasting.
“Light the Night is one of my favorite events that we offer at the Refuge. Usually, we schedule the event after the holiday season’s hustle and bustle, making it a great way for the community to enjoy the silence and peacefulness of the winter trails. This year, we had historical reenactments and information about the Ice Harvesting history at the Refuge, and complimentary hot chocolate by Hampton Coffee Company, which made the event extra festive!” shared Cara Fernandes, Program Director at Quogue Wildlife Refuge
After the walk, many ventured to the Ice Harvesting exhibit to see the tools used in years past and to watch a reenactment. Many stayed to share past “Light the Night” stories, a clear indication of how beloved the trail walks are.
A special thank you to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge team, can’t wait for the next one!
