Luminaria

There has been a tradition of candle-lighted "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 in about the 1990's when families started laying out the lighted bags on both sides of the street as well as having people sing Christmas carols in the

neighborhood. The streets illuminated 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 on these streets for that period of time.

For several years Ruth Wall had horse-drawn carriage rides for the event and they have used the chapel in Greenlawn Cemetery for group carol singing in the past.

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

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Luminaria

"Celebration brightens holidays" Salem Evening News, Dec. 21, 1998 p. A1

"The lights are going on Sunday in North Salem" Salem News, Dec. 18, 2009, p. 2

"Healthy competition has many winners" Salem News, Dec. 17, 2004, p. A2