By: Tianna Hernandez
Christmas Tree Lane is a 2 mile stretch of houses that are completely lit up with Christmas joy. This has been a Fresno tradition for 95 years and ongoing. The best thing about Christmas Tree Lane is how it brings family and friends together every year to look at the beautiful lights. People could walk through or drive down the 2 blocks of shining lights and it is completely free, however they do accept donations. The usual hours are 6 p.m- 10 p.m Sunday-Thursday, 6 p.m- 11 p.m Friday and Saturday and they’re even open on Christmas day but they are closed by 10 p.m. Christmas day is also the last day that Christmas Tree Lane will be open for the year, but it has been open to the public since December 1.
The history behind Christmas Tree Lane is incredible and fascinating. The way that Christmas Tree Lane began was just with one tree. In 1920 there was tragedy when a child of the neighborhood passed away in a home and the first tree was set up to honor the child. Every year following there were people decorating more and more trees and Christmas Tree Lane was born.
Christmas Tree Lane did have some bumps along the way. Because of World War 2, the lane went dark. The wartime restrictions prevented the lights from turning on in 1941. That wasn’t the only time Christmas Tree Lane went dark, in 1973, there was an energy crisis. If you have not been to Christmas Tree Lane you wouldn’t know that it takes a lot of energy to light up all the trees and decorations.
Christmas Tree Lane is literally famous! So if you don’t believe it from here you’d be very happy to hear that the lane was featured in Sunset Magazine, it was on TLC, and one of the families that decorates their home won The Great Christmas Light Fight on ABC.
This annual tradition also serves as a get way to get together with friends, family, or boyfriend/ girlfriend which was very popular for the first week and moving forward. A lot of Redwood students traveled to Fresno and walked the lane which was an option for only tow times during the month.
You can see all this information and more on their website. You can find contact information and more details about the lane, just click the link: https://www.christmastreelane.com/?v=7516fd43adaa. Most information stated in this article was pulled from their official website.
Krissy Hetherington
Krissy ('21) is a senior and this is her third year as Editor in Chief. She has been in Journalism since beginning of freshman year and has a strong passion for sports journalism. Outside of the Gigantea, Krissy is a part of the Cross Country, Basketball and Track teams. She is also in her third year as an intern writer for the Sun-Gazette. You can reach her by email at krist.he0076@vusd.us
