A traditional winter event that has brought community together for half a century returns to the Tri-Lakes area this week.

The 92nd annual Palmer Lake Yule Log Potluck will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and the Yule Log Hunt from 1-8:30 p.m., Dec. 14 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent St. About 500 revelers are expected to participate in the celebration.

The potluck precedes the hunt with volunteers bringing a tasty dish to share with community. During the potluck, the Yule Log, measuring about 8-12 feet long and 10-15 inches in diameter, is prepared for the hunt. The log is notched, usually with a U or V-shaped cut, and decorated with red ribbon for easy identification.

On the day of the hunt, hundreds of participants sporting red and green capes meet at the town hall. A trumpeter signals the start of the hunt encouraging participants to venture into the woods near Palmer Lake to search for the previously-hidden log.

Once in the woods, participants scramble over slippery slopes, snow crunching beneath their feet, as they search beneath bushes and boughs to find the log. Upon finding the log, revelers fill the air with cheers and laughter as hunting party members attach ropes to and drag the log a quarter mile back to Town Hall. The person who finds the log rides atop the log back into town.

“We have dragged the log with as many as six kids riding on top,” Master of Ceremonies Niall Byrne said. “It (log) can get quite heavy, but it’s a lot of fun,”

Upon return, the log is sawed in half with the same two-man saw that cut the town’s first Yule Log in 1933. One half is set ablaze in the large stone fireplace built in 1936 by Palmer Lake volunteer firefighters. The other half is saved to start the next year’s fire.

The person who finds the log gets the first cup of a traditional spiced cider called wassail. Participants join in the celebration by munching on cookies, sipping hot beverages and singing Christmas carols. The town hall is virtually unchanged, adding to the festive atmosphere, Byrne said.

“A lot of people grew up with these traditions with their parents and/or grandparents,” Byrne said. “Some folks have even planned their vacation around this celebration.”

Erica Romero, who serves as town clerk and administrative supervisor, agreed, adding that the celebration’s popularity is built on tradition.

“Tradition makes this annual celebration great and everyone has a wonderful time,” she said.

It’s unclear how the Yule Log celebration originated. Scholars have offered many theories ranging from a medieval Christmas tradition to a Proto-Indo-European ritual that has survived in numerous cultures until today. However, it is believed that the custom dates back to 12th-century Germany when hunters sawed the log in two and saved half to start the following year’s ceremonial fire.

In Europe, a family (often men of the house or the father) ventured into the woods early in the morning to cut one or more trees, and burned the log throughout Christmas Day. The log ashes or charcoal were used throughout the year to fertilize the soil, heal ailments or protect the home from storms.

Although many of these practices no longer exist, the log burning remains an important part of North American and European family celebrations.

According to Byrne, two women – Lucretia Vaile and Evalena Macy – were inspired by a similar celebration they had attended in Lake Placid, N.Y., and brought the celebration to Palmer Lake in 1934. The first event was held in a local home with about 50 people participating in the hunt. The event proved popular and went on to become an annual holiday staple.

“Everyone shares a common spirit of finding and dragging the log back to town, and celebrating the event,” Byrne said. “It’s a memorable celebration for all who attend.”

Participants are encouraged to bring a dish to share with neighbors and bring a red and green cape to wear during the hunt. Participants also can rent a cape. To learn more phone 719-481-2953 or visit https://palmerdividehistory.org/.