Traditions - Can They Be Changed?

As chairman of this year's July 4th celebration, I am charged with keeping traditions going, such as the lighting of over 5,000 candles at dusk, the Queen of Candles crowning and of course, the fireworks.  A tradition is defined as a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance. The candles and fireworks have been a part of the July 4th celebration in Lititz since the mid-1800s, which certainly qualifies them as traditions, based upon the aforementioned definition.  One could say that the candles and fireworks are major traditions and can't be touched, let alone altered.  The question to me is, are their minor traditions and if there are, can minor traditions be modified, changed or even stopped? 

When a tradition begins, it is not viewed as a tradition, but merely as something new.  Over time, if something new continues year after year, it may become a tradition.  In the case of the candle display in the park for the 4th, the tradition, which began in 1848, continues today; however, the way the candles were displayed in 1848 are not the way that they are displayed today.  While the spirit of the tradition continues year after year, the method on carrying out the tradition may change, which leads me to this question, "when does something new become a tradition?"  And, when this something becomes a tradition, can it be modified while keeping its spirit alive?  Society changes.  Why can't traditions be modified so long as the intent and spirit remains in tact?

My good friend started the Fire&Ice Festival in Lititz 10 years ago.  In this short time, this annual event in February has become a tradition.  However, changes to this event have been made over the years in order to keep it fresh.  Ask the chairwoman of this event and she will tell you that alterations were necessary so that the tradition continues into the next year.

So, we return to the title of this post--Traditions - Can they be changed?  My answer is yes.  If they didn't change, they would cease to be traditions.