Residents of Sisters will gather on Friday, June 20 at 7 p.m. to observe the summer solstice with a communal walk at the Sisters Community Labyrinth, located in the newly renamed Sisters Gateway Park.
The event marks the return of a longstanding local tradition, where participants celebrate the longest day of the year by walking the labyrinth in a contemplative, nonreligious ceremony. This year’s gathering is the first official solstice event since significant redevelopment of the site began.
Originally constructed over a dozen years ago by a Ford Foundation leadership group with community support, the labyrinth was built on U.S. Forest Service land. In recent years, ownership transferred to the City of Sisters, which has since integrated the labyrinth into its broader vision for a community park and transportation hub.
Renovations at the site have progressed quickly, with walkways, lighting, and roadway infrastructure added. While these changes have altered the once-secluded environment, labyrinth supporters expressed appreciation to the City, public works staff, and the Parks Advisory Board for preserving the labyrinth’s place in the design. Organizers noted that the City has welcomed input from labyrinth leaders during the planning process.
The solstice walk, a regular part of seasonal observances in Sisters, serves as a symbolic recognition of astronomical rhythms. As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, communities around the world mark the occasion with various customs—some with bonfires, which are unsuitable during the Central Oregon fire season. Instead, Sisters honors the day with a meditative walk guided by live drumming and the quiet steps of neighbors.
“The tradition of labyrinths is related to the solar system and its path, winding back and forth,” said Pat Leiser, a member of the labyrinth committee. She noted that the design of the labyrinth, inspired by the medieval Chartres pattern, echoes the apparent movement of the five visible planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Participants are encouraged to wear white or bright colors and may bring flowers, drums, bells, or other acoustic instruments. Organic offerings can be placed at the labyrinth’s central boulder. The walk is free to attend, with optional donations accepted. Attendees are advised to bring water, wear sun hats, and choose appropriate footwear for uneven surfaces. Dogs, alcohol, smoking, and recorded music are not permitted.
Sisters Community Labyrinth is situated across Highway 242 from Les Schwab and XPress Printing, near the intersection with Highway 20. On-site restrooms and the entrance on West Hood Avenue are expected to remain accessible despite ongoing construction. Limited roadside parking is available nearby.
The labyrinth is maintained by the Sisters Community Labyrinth Committee, which operates under the Sisters Park & Recreation District. The group—comprising four adult members and one youth ambassador—organizes events, oversees maintenance, and manages fundraising.
The park itself, formerly known as East Portal, was renamed Sisters Gateway Park following a public survey last summer. It occupies a forested triangle of land where the city’s two western highways converge—a gateway now marked by the enduring presence of the labyrinth.
