In many areas, the holiday season brings snow. Because of its unpredictable weather, however, Fresno has a green Christmas. One day may be dark and cold, and the next will be bright and sunny.
Despite the atypical holiday weather, Fresno displays Christmas spirit through Christmas Tree Lane and the giant tree at City Hall. On the street, houses are strung with lights and lawns are decorated with various scenes.
Christmas Tree Lane on Van Ness Boulevard provides nights of merriment during the holidays. The official lighting, Dec. 3, allowed only walkers to enter the street. Lights will be lit at 6 p.m. and remain on until 11 p.m.
Three hundred trees and over 140 homes are decked with lights for an old tradition. In 1920, one tree was lit to honor the death of a child, and the tradition has continued. This year marks Christmas Tree Lane’s 88th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running holiday traditions in the nation.
In addition to the opening night, Dec. 14 is designated as a walking night. On the second walking night, lights will only be on until 10 p.m. Other nights will be open to drivers, who may access the street from Shields and drive north to Shaw.
Because she enjoys the community tradition, sophomore Jessica Healy plans to join friends to walk Christmas Tree Lane.
“I go every year,” Healy said. “I love to see all the lights — they are beautiful. I really like how the residents participate; no one doesn’t decorate. Me and my friends [sic] go and always bring hot chocolate. We try to find all the hidden reindeer and sometimes see Santa.”
Living on the Lane
Christmas Tree Lane presents a different occasion for junior Raine Hayes, who lives on the lane itself. She and her family spend time stringing lights in order to continue the street’s tradition.
“We have people come in to set up the lights, like on our roof,” Hayes said. “You don’t have to decorate for Christmas Tree Lane, but it’s kind of weird if you don’t. We put up lights and decorations on the outside of the house. We have to make sure the lawn is clean for the nights in order to reflect well on the street itself.”
While many visitors make a trip to the street to see the lights, Hayes sits inside her house to avoid the commotion. However, Hayes values the opportunity to watch the entire process firsthand, she says.
“Besides the traffic, I love living on Christmas Tree Lane,” Hayes said. “I get to see the entire process: First, the people put their own decorations up; then, they string all the lights on the big trees; and then they hang the big signs and stuff.”
The whole street is lit for viewers, but not everyone takes advantage of the opportunity. Freshman Tristian Hernandez chooses not to visit this attraction.
“I have never been to Christmas Tree Lane,” Hernandez said. “My parents won’t take me, so I don’t even know what it’s like. I’ve heard it’s fun, but instead I just stay home.”
City Hall adorned with tree
City Hall provides another form of celebration. On Nov. 20, the hall received an 80-foot white pine tree. This year, due to budget cutbacks, volunteers put up the tree together. These volunteers spent most of Nov. 21 stringing decorations.
The lighting of the tree was held on Dec. 3. In addition to the lighting, refreshments and pictures with Santa were available.
Senior Jenna Yee views the City Hall tree as a potentially spectacular and meaningful experience.
“Now that I can drive, I think it would be fun,” Yee said. “It would be cool because you get to see all the lights. It’s 80-feet tall, so it’s a lot bigger than any normal-sized Christmas tree. A Christmas tree means a lot to me; it symbolizes the beginning of Christmas for me.”
For more information on Christmas Tree Lane, read the Dec. 17, 2009 article, Holiday lights enrich Fresno/Clovis atmosphere.
