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MESILLA - Like hundreds of others - many in Santa hats, some in candy cane-striped stockings - Pam Porter tries to get to Mesilla's annual Christmas Eve luminaria lighting every year.
"It puts me in the Christmas spirit and it's just amazing - all these luminarias!" said the New Mexico State University professor, setting up her camera and tripod as dusk turned the rows of humble brown paper bags into a soft, sidewalk glow Friday. "I really get in the Christmas spirit after it. This is just so New Mexico. I think luminarias are a New Mexico Christmas. I'm very much into our state's traditions, and this is a great way to celebrate it."
In addition to a Christmas address by Mesilla Mayor Nora Barraza before a new 17-foot Christmas tree donated by El Paso Electric and decorated by ornaments made by the Mesilla Elementary School community, the Mesilla Fire Department conducted a candle-lighting and honor ceremony for public safety and military personnel - many of whom will spend today far away from their family and loved ones.
Valerie and Robert Ferguson of Fort Gibson, Okla., shared a hot coffee as they sat among the Mesilla Plaza crowds enjoying the carols and the festive light display. With their children variously skiing, vacationing in Hawaii and soaking up the sun in Florida, the couple said they were happy to return to one of their
"We love this town," Valerie Ferguson said. "It's a very diverse town and people love each other."
"And it's warm!" her husband added. "At home, it's not."
"It was 19 degrees," Valerie Ferguson said. "We came here, and it was 60."
Touring the luminarias lighting up the old Spanish architecture was a delight, Robert Ferguson said.
"We've combed every inch of this town," Valerie Ferguson said. "We do our shopping, we looked very seriously into living here, but for now, we just visit every chance we can."
Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462.
