Residents in Brooklyn gathered for a winter solstice celebration Thursday at Grand Army Plaza.

Leading the celebration was Donna Henes, who is affectionately known as Mama Donna. Her fans joined her in a circle to celebrate the sun and the positivity and hope it brings. 

Mama Donna said the days get lighter from now on. Part of her celebratory ritual included music, chants, spritzing with water and making sure everyone gets an orange sticker.

"We are wearing the sun," said Mama Donna.  "We are taking the sun in. We are projecting the sun out. We want to connect with the light and the bright and the positive."

To outsiders, Mama Donna may seem quirky but her followers don't mind it a bit.