Luminaria

There has been a tradition of "Lumnaria" bags put out the weekend before Christmas in the North Fields section of Salem.

Luminaria are candles lighted in paper bags with sand.

The tradition began about the 1990's when families started laying out the lighted bags and having Christmas caroling in the

neighborhood. The streets lighted up are typically Moulton Ave., Dearborn Street and Lee Street. It typically takes place

the Sunday before Christmas from about 5:00 until 9 p.m. The organizers say there is close to 1,000 lighted bags set out that

evening. No cars are allowed to park for that period of time.

For several years Ruth Wall had horse-drawn carriage rides for the event.

According to one participant, the NorthFields luminaria is a celebration of Christmas and Hannukah. It is a "gift of light".

Anonymous