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Lauren E. Toney
For the Sun-News
LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico State University campus was illuminated by thousands of flickering luminarias Sunday evening for the annual Noche de Luminarias celebration.
Five thousand luminarias - paper bags anchored by sand and lighted from within by small candles - cast a glow along campus walkways and buildings, from the east end of the university, wrapping around the duck pond and down the International Mall to surround the Corbett Center Student Union.
One of the largest festive displays in southern New Mexico, Noche de Luminarias, which translates to Night of Lights, is now in its 26th year. The NMSU tradition began in 1984 as a holiday celebration for the university president.
About 1,000 visitors take in the glow of the flickering luminarias each year, Bruce Vandevender, assistant director of campus activities, said.
"It's a Las Cruces tradition," he said. "It's a nice way to signify that the holiday season has begun."
For NMSU students, the event is a reminder "that it's time to start studying for finals," Vandevender said, with a laugh. "But, walking through all the lights is so peaceful. People sing Christmas carols and really enjoy a relaxing escape from all the hustle and bustle that comes with this time of year."
Holiday cheer was also spread throughout the evening with hand bells and holiday musical performances by the Vista Vibrations of Vista Middle School. NMSU's Dance Sport team also entertained visitors
Beginning at noon Sunday, Las Cruces High School band members and parents began filling more than 5,000 brown paper sacks with sand and placing them along the campus walkways, said Debbie Peel, of the Las Cruces High School Band Parents Association.
Band members, who also sell luminarias to Las Cruces residents throughout the holiday season, have participated in bringing the magical display to life for more than a decade, she said.
Percussionists Michael Cort, 14, Joseph Chavez, 14, and Samuel Palomino, 16, lit the tiny candles that filled luminarias leading up to Corbett Center an hour prior to Sunday night's celebration.
"Lighting them is the best part," said Cort, who has participated in the event for the past two years. "Standing back and seeing them all lit up gives you a real feeling of accomplishment."
Despite sore backs after six hours of preparation, Chavez said he and his fellow band members look forward to "having hot chocolate, listening to music and seeing all the lights" at the end of the day.
"My family took me to (Noche de Luminarias) before I was in the band and I always thought it was so cool," Cort said.
"It's a tradition," added Palomino, a junior at the high school. "We always look forward to it."
A centuries-old custom, luminarias, also known as farolitos, or little lanterns, originated in the 16th century as small bonfires placed along roadways and churchyards to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and to guide parishioners to midnight Mass, according to the New Mexico Luminaria Co. The Spanish tradition evolved to what it is today when Chinese lanterns were brought by U.S. settlers to illuminate entryways along the Santa Fe Trail.
Instead of the expensive lanterns, locals began filling paper sacks with sand and candles to light up roadways and homes throughout the year-end holiday season.
Lauren E. Toney can be reached at (575) 541-5447; ltoney@lcsun-news.com.
