74-year holiday light tradition returns to Pasadena neighborhood that lost 80 homes in Eaton Fire
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- The holiday spirit has returned to Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena, where, for decades, neighbors have put on one of the most impressive light displays in the country.
Only this year, after the Eaton Fire, the tradition takes on new meaning as a symbol of strength and resilience.
The residents in Upper Hastings Ranch pull out all the stops for the holiday season. It's a 74-year-old tradition of making Christmas merry and bright.
"Every lights are good to see, and we always get hot cocoa," said 8-year-old Theo Grajeda.
"It's a tradition. I guess, ever since she was born," said Gabriel Martinez from Eagle Rock, who visited the lights with his young daughter.
This year, the holiday celebration means even more after the Eaton Fire destroyed 80 homes in the neighborhood. Each lot is now marked with a bright star.
"We came up here last Christmas, before the fires. It's kind of sad coming through here and seeing all these empty lots," said John Grajeda from Duarte.
But there is hope, especially on Valley Lights Drive, where nearly two dozen handmade angels welcome visitors.
"I think I saw like 20 of them. I like angels because my grandma likes them," said 7-year-old Cataleya Martinez.
Two residents built new angels to replace the originals, which had been put up every year since 1998, after 13 of the 22 homes on the street were destroyed.
"We still have hope. A lot of families want to come back to rebuild, so we're waiting on them to come back," said neighbor Wei Bai.
The bright lights and holiday cheer are bringing joy to the residents and carloads of visitors turning out to celebrate the season.
"This is an L.A. tradition and something I just wanted to share," said Antonia Piscitelli from Sunland. "To bring some normalcy to the community and to be in the spirit."
Upper Hastings Ranch will be decorated with Christmas lights through Dec. 31. They're lit every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
