Winter Solstice Celebration

I'm back from the Winter Solstice celebration at my local Unitarian Universalist church.  It was an incredible experience.  The evening started out with everyone walking outside.  We started lighting sparklers and playing with poppers that you throw on concrete.  Then we progressed to drumming and making a lot of noise to welcome back the Sun.

After drumming, clapping and all of us making as much noise as possible, someone dressed up as The Sun emerged with ten people carrying torches.  The Sun spoke a little bit and then they lit the bonfire, to which everyone got to walk and dance around.  By the time we were finished the snow on the ground was pretty much gone.

Spiritually I felt like it was a very rewarding experience.  It wasn't completely Wiccan as we didn't cast  a circle and call any quarters, but it was still a fantastic thing to participate in.  The energy among everyone was wonderful and it truly was a celebration of the solstice and the Sun's return.  Plus, about half way through while we were singing a variety of holiday songs, we looked up to the sky to find the moon with a beautiful ring around it.  The following picture isn't mine because I didn't have my camera, but you'll get the idea.

All in all, a great event.  What was your first Pagan event like?