The Vulcanalia

The Vulcanalia was a festival celebrated in ancient Rome in honour of Vulcan, on the 23d of August with games in the circus Flaminius, where the god had a temple. The sacrifice on this occasion consisted of fishes which the people threw into the fire. It was also customary on this day to commence working by candlelight, which was probably considered as an auspicious beginning of the use of fire, as the day was sacred to the god of this element.


From: A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities