For 91 years Fresno’s Christmas Tree Lane has been entertaining the public. People of all ages come to see Christmas lights and trees.
Each year 130 homes and 300 trees are decorated for the holidays on Van Ness Boulevard, beginning in 1920 when a child died who lived on the street. His mother decorated a tree and it quickly became a tradition.
Each year the Lane opens for walkers only with Dec. 3 and 11 designated for this season. All vehicle traffic will be stopped on Van Ness Blvd. between Shields and Shaw avenues.
A resident of Christmas Tree Lane, who asked not to be named, mentions why he lives on the Lane despite all the traffic and visitors.
“Its nice living on Christmas Tree Lane,” he said. “You get to see all the people look at your house. See them take notice of all your hard work.”
Many houses take two or three days to decorate. The resident of the Lane has to bring in extra help for the work of decorating.
“We have some people that help us decorate,” he said. “It takes about two days. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I enjoy it a lot.”
The first night the lane is open is always pedestrians only, meaning there are no cars allowed. The rest of the time, the lane is open both to pedestrians and cars alike, it even has its own radio station that plays Christmas music as you ride down the lane.
Over 100,000 people flood the street every year but for many of these people, this year was their first experience at Christmas Tree Lane.
Patrick Schmidt, a foreign exchange student from Germany, is visiting both America and Christmas Tree Lane for the first time.
“It was pretty cool,” Schmidt said. “It was different then anything I’ve ever seen at Christmas time. I thought it would be bigger though; everything is bigger in America.”
Many people came down the lane when they were a child and are returning for the first time since then. Like Hope (last name withheld), a woman walking down the lane on opening night.
“I haven’t been here in years,” Hope said. “I think it’s beautiful. My favorite part is the community; I like being out here in the fresh air.”
For other people, Christmas Tree Lane is an ongoing tradition that has lasted their entire life.
Summer McGrew, ’17, has gone to the Lane for many years. She talks about her families tradition for for the Lane.
“Its a family tradition and every year after going down Christmas Tree Lane, we go and get Cold Stone ice cream,” McGrew said. “We started going because when I came to live here, I loved christmas lights. They took me out to see the lights because I want to do that with my house.”
The lights on Christmas Tree Lane will be lit from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. During these times, traffic on Van Ness is northbound only.
Lights will shut off at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. respectively. Please plan your trip accordingly.
This author can be reached via Twitter: @EthanNathe26. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.
For more information see last years article, Christmas Tree Lane celebrates 90 years (VIDEO).
For more features, check out the Dec. 9 article, Christmas parade sparks new traditions, family fun.
