Luminarias in Tularosa

Here's the happy Rotary crew plus volunteers, busy filling luminaria bags.
Here’s the happy Rotary crew plus volunteers, busy filling luminaria bags.

On Christmas Eve, the Tularosa Rotary Club filled and placed luminarias along Central Avenue, from the “Y” to Bookout Road. Luminarias are simple brown paper bags, with a cup of dirt for weight and stability, and a small candle inside. Other civic and school organizations place luminarias throughout town. About dusk, crews light each candle, and Tularosa’s main highways are outlined with glowing lights. (In some places, luminarias are known as farolitos.) At each end of town, police officers slow the traffic and ask drivers to turn off their headlights as they drive thru town.

It’s a beautiful display of civic pride, and people come from miles around to see it.

Sorry, I didn’t take any night-time photos. Google for “Tularosa luminarias” and you’ll find many great photos.

-Tom Jacoby