The historic Irvington neighborhood will be the focal point of a long-standing holiday tradition as the Luminaria is celebrated on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 6-10 p.m. Everyone is welcome to walk, bike, or drive the streets of Irvington to see this beautiful tradition come to life. Even last year, when the pandemic was running rampant through Indiana, the candles appeared, symbolizing hope and prayers for better days to come.
What is a luminaria, you might ask. The item itself is a small candle set in sand in a paper bag. The tradition comes from several cultures, with the paper lanterns coming from the Phillipping and introduced to New Spain, then through the southwest United States. Las Posadas, a Hispanic holiday celebration that is held Dec. 16-24, marks the days that Mary and Joseph looked for shelter before Jesus’ birth. The custom may also have ties to the many cultural festivals of light during the longest days of the year.
To participate, residents can purchase already made up kits at several Irvington merchants, including Hampton Designs (5515E. Washington), Deering Cleaners (1160 N. Arlington), Central Ace Hardware (1025 N. Arlington), Coal Yard Coffee (400 S. Ritter Ave.), Magic Candle (200 S. Audubon), Front Door Design (5547 Bonna Ave.), and BaZaar-Oh! Vintage (5844 E. Washington St.). Sand to weigh the bags down will be available in the Ellenberger Park parking lot (near the pool). Bring your own bucket or large sturdy bag to take the sand home!
At 6 p.m., line the driveway, walkway, porch or sidewalk with the candles. Barring gale-force winds, heavy rain or (heaven forbid) snow, many people in the historic neighborhood will be out doing the same. Some people use the opportunity to hold impromptu porch parties to greet old friends and make new ones. In addition to Irvington, some people in surrounding neighborhoods participate in the Luminaria — Emerson Heights, Little Flower, and Community Heights residents often light the way as well.
Santa and Krampus will be at the Irving Circle throughout the event, taking donations for the Neighborhood Food Collective. Bring a non-perishable item or canned goods for their pantry. Friends of Irving Circle and Sue Beecher will be hosting the event. Everyone is welcome to take photos with Santa or Krampus at the Circle.
Indy Cycle Specialist is hosting a bike ride through Irvington to see the lights beginning at 6 p.m. and meeting at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave. Please have bike lights and bring friends for a beautiful evening ride.
Like so many Irvington traditions, the Luminaria came about as a result of a couple of hardy souls with an idea. In 1976, the late Rose Mary Clarke (Chair of the Community Council) and Lawrence W. Tindall (Vice Chair) developed the idea of lighting candles at Christmas. They knew of the Hispanic tradition to light the way of the Christ child, but presented the idea to the council as a community event, a time to slow down and enjoy home and the bond of community. The council approved the idea. They found that Cash & Carry sold both bags and candles and began with 6 inch plumber’s candles which burned for 24 hours and #6 white bakery bags.
Sand was dumped in the Irvington Presbyterian lot. Kathy Tindall has a memory of Rose Mary Clarke and Patty Hawkins standing near the sand pile with a tea cup trying to determine how much sand to put in the bags. They were later quoted as choosing 4 cups.
The type of candle was later changed from the 24 hour burning plumber’s candle to a 10 hour burning votive candle. This caused some confusion. Several people hesitated to accept their orders and questioned whether the candles were “the regulation candles.”
People asked where to place the candles. The reply was on each crack in the sidewalk — about every 3 feet, or in more open spaces every 5 feet.
When you buy kits from local retailers, proceeds go to support next year’s Luminaria, and the sand is now at Ellenberger Park near the swimming pool.
