Started by Paul Vogel in 1991
- For more than 30 years the Camelback Canyon Estates HOA has organized an annual holiday display of luminarias on December 24. The simple candles and bags line both sides of all of the streets in our community.
- In 1991, resident Paul Vogel, who had moved to our community three years earlier, wondered if he could bring the annual luminaria tradition he enjoyed previously in Moon Valley to his new neighborhood. The first year he measured the front footage of each lot on his street, 46th Place, so that each home could place five, 10 or 15 luminarias along the street in front of their homes. The experiment was a success, so Vogel measured the street frontage for all 107 homes in the community so that every homeowner could place luminarias in front of their homes on the evening of December 24.
- Today, the luminaria display is an entrenched holiday tradition that is supported by the full community. It is quite a project to coordinate with homeowners to achieve full participation. Over 1,800 bags and candles are distributed to homeowners by a group of volunteers.
- On the evening of December 24, residents take a few minutes away from the bustle of holiday activities to have a quiet walk on the chilly and silent streets of our neighborhood to light their candles and walk our winding streets. It’s a wonderful way of relaxing, meeting neighbors, and enjoying our mild winters.
