Its a neighborhood tradition that start when the first home was built in 1986 - they put luminaries along their driveway as part of their own Christmas eve decoration. With each home that joined the neighborhood, they added luminaries. Now they plan for 2500 luminaries and on Christmas Eve day, the neighbors get together, assemble them and distribute them through out the neighborhood. As it gets dark everyone lights their own and if you are away the neighbors light them for you. This year Christmas Eve was predicted to RAIN ALL DAY - and it DID. So the neighbors moved it to New Years Eve.
Its made up of a white paper bag, 2 cups of sand (or dirt from your back yard if we run out) than a candle. A real candle) The coolest part (in my opinion) is the neighbors working together in the freezing temps to assemble and distribute them.
Nick was covering down on candle addition
Shane was on Truck detail.
Before I realized it, Shane was headed out on distrobution - next to 2 college ladies (one being his first babysitter in the neighborhood!) Good work Shane. I was a bit nervous about him riding in the back of the truck, but I knew Abby would take good care of my dimple man =) Her folks were the ones to orchestrate it all.
Here we all are - seriously the best part.
Here they both go! Trip #5 I think.
Drew came in to join in the process. He quickly inserted himself.
Here's what it looked like.
Later that day I escaped for a movie date with Molly to see Wild that we had both read and truly enjoyed. What an emotional movie -
So no time to make dinner (and after all that entertaining - no interest either) so the next BEST thing for New Years - TACO BELL. We will even eat it there - NO MESS.
But first, a quick video of the drive out
Here is our home, Christmas lights and luminaries
My folks came over for a glass of wine and a walk through the neighborhood.
My New years goal was to be sleeping before midnight - ACHIEVED!
After we all said thank you for such a wonderful event, the neighbors asked if they could publish our kind words to the local paper. So here we all are - published and all.
Photo by Jeff Schaetzel
Story Courtesy of Michele and Kevin Brophy
For more than 20 years, residents in the Bidwell Farm/Breezy Hill Road/Farmington River Turnpike area in Canton and New Hartford have been assembling and lighting luminaries on Christmas Eve.
Due to the rain on Christmas Eve last month, the celebration was moved to New Year’s Eve.
Each year, the neighbors gather at one home to to open and fold the bags, add the sand, and drop in a candle. The luminaries are then loaded in pick-up trucks, and the children and teens distribute them throughout the neighborhood.
At night, residents light the candles,with neighbors helping those who are unable to get out of the home. This year, more than 1,200 candles were lit.
“The luminaries were beautiful, and working together with the neighbors was truly my favorite part,” said Sara Leadbetter, a newer resident to the area. “I heard so many folks say that this one day is the day they look forward to all year. Now I can see why — how awesome. We are so fortunate to be part of the tradition.”
Neighbors assemble the luminaries.
Photo by Sara Leadbetter
Photo by Sara Leadbetter
Photo by Jeff Schaetzel
Photo by Jeff Schaetzel
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