Introduction to Holiday Light Up
Hand-decorated stars will shine over the properties lost to the Eaton fire in the Upper Hastings Ranch community during its annual Holiday Light Up. A year after the devastating blaze, community members are bringing a joyous holiday tradition back into the neighborhood.
“We felt like it was important to continue the tradition on to give people something to look forward to, but we also recognize that some of our streets will be dark. And we know that some of our residents who can’t be here right now will miss participating in the light up,” said Denise Arnst, the vice president of the Upper Hastings Ranch Association.
The Eaton Fire Devastation
More than 80 homes in the San Gabriel Valley neighborhood were lost in the January inferno, which killed 19 people. In honor of the residents who lost their homes, decorated shining stars will be placed on their properties. Volunteers in the community and beyond will be decorating the special stars on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 12 – 3 p.m. at Hamilton Park’s picnic area.
“These solar-lit stars will be displayed during the Holiday Light Up as a symbol of support, home, and resilience for our neighborhood,” stated an email sent to residents from the neighborhood association’s board.
History of Holiday Light Up
More than 70 years ago, a group of neighbors displayed an assortment of candles in front of their homes for the holidays, according to Arnst.
“Ultimately they turned it into almost like a competition between blocks and they started making these wooden parkway displays and it just grew,” she said, into the annual tradition that draws people in from near and far during the holiday season.
“We personally love decorating our house for the holidays, and especially because it’s a sort of greater neighborhood thing,” Arnst said. “It’s just something special that we look forward to, and we know it brings a lot of joy to not only our neighbors, but also our visitors,” she said.
Community Support and Participation
Arnst remembers visiting the neighborhood’s light show with her family as a little girl. “So it’s really cool to kind of be one of the people who’s decorating now for people,” she said.
Retired resident Tom Cali, whose garage was damaged in the Eaton fire, said the Holiday Light Up is an important tradition for the community to continue, especially after the fire. “If everybody just said, ‘Oh, we’re not going to do anything this year because of the devastation’ it would lose some of the cheer of the neighborhood,” Cali said. Another way to help the Upper Hastings Ranch Association’s star project is by purchasing light strings from their Amazon Wish List.
“I’m hoping as many houses as possible have their lights up and we could have that holiday spirit, that holiday cheer that we all look forward to every year,” he added.
Conclusion
The Holiday Light Up tradition is a beacon of hope and resilience for the Upper Hastings Ranch community, especially after the devastating Eaton fire. The community’s efforts to continue this tradition, despite the challenges they face, demonstrate the strength and solidarity of the neighborhood. As the holiday season approaches, the community comes together to create a joyful and festive atmosphere, honoring the memories of those who lost their homes and looking forward to a brighter future.
FAQs
Q: What is the Holiday Light Up tradition in Upper Hastings Ranch?
A: The Holiday Light Up is an annual tradition where community members decorate their homes and properties with lights and displays for the holiday season.
Q: How can I participate in the Holiday Light Up?
A: You can participate by decorating your home, volunteering to decorate special stars for properties lost in the Eaton fire, or purchasing light strings from the Upper Hastings Ranch Association’s Amazon Wish List.
Q: What is the significance of the decorated stars?
A: The decorated stars are a symbol of support, home, and resilience for the neighborhood, honoring the residents who lost their homes in the Eaton fire.
Q: When will the Holiday Light Up take place?
A: The Holiday Light Up will take place during the holiday season, with volunteers decorating special stars on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 12 – 3 p.m. at Hamilton Park’s picnic area.
