Illuminaries light up Northwest Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The illuminaries of Ellery Avenue in Northwest Fresno have long been one of the Valley's most amazing Christmas Eve sights. But it takes a village to set the neighborhood aglow.

The illuminaries seem to go on forever. They guide you through a neighborhood well beyond Ellery Avenue. But the community cooperation needed to pull this off will amaze you.

Families gathered to fill bags with sand, set up the votive candles to place them inside and get the illuminaries ready for delivery or pick up by wagon.

Dolores Monahan explained, "It's a spiritual experience for me because no one seemed to know anybody when I moved here. They have those big tall fences in the back."

Dolores started this tradition 33 years ago outside her home. Neighbors loved it and wanted to join in.

Families pitched in $15 for materials and spent the morning having coffee, donuts and pizza until the illuminaries were ready.

Breanne Scogin said, "It's so magical to come out at night and there's no street lights and all you see is light by candlelight and it's really a magical experience."

Carrie palmer added, "It's beautiful. Real late at night if it's foggy it will be silent and there will be people walking and it's just gorgeous."

1,500 bags in all have been set up along Ellery Avenue and beyond between Fruit and West.

Monahan said, "It's a New Mexican tradition. Actually they do this in Santa Fe and all these southwestern cities. It's lighting the way for the Christ child."

But the little ones enjoyed playing with the sand.

Mickey Pierce said, "This is my eighth or ninth year of doing this."

The illuminaries burn once a year - only on Christmas Eve.