It's difficult to think of a recent year when people around here were more excited to see spring arrive.

Consider that an extra-special reason to note that the Westerly Morris Men will be doing their 29th annual dance atop Lantern Hill on Friday to mark - yes! - the start of spring. Sunrise Friday will be about 6:51 a.m.

The tradition was initiated as a Vernal Equinox hike by Betsy (Oller) Storms of the Pequotsepos Outing Club of Mystic, with Morris dancing added in 1987.

Usually, 40 or more people show up at the base of Lantern Hill in North Stonington to make the 10- to 20-minute hike to the summit.

- Kristina Dorsey

Vernal Equinox Sunrise Dance, meet at 6 a.m. Friday at base of Lantern Hill, Wintechog Hill Road, North Stonington; westerlymorrismen.org.